The future of new teachers has never looked so bright thanks to the Future Teacher Academy (FTA) at St. Cloud Area School District. The academy is a program that provides opportunities to explore college and a career as a future educator to students of color. The program is in its second year.
Mohamed Mohamud, educational equity outreach coordinator, leads the program.
“It’s a chance for me to expose students of color to opportunities they never thought existed,” says Mohamud. “Most of these students come from backgrounds where both mom and dad never went to college. And education was something that was spoken about but never really understood what changes in life a college degree can make.”
Students are identified and learn about the program from their teachers.
“There is writing involved,” explains Mohamud. “And this year, I met with every student, got to know them and then they’d fill out the application. FTA is not looking for students with a 4.0 GPA. We’re looking for students who have potential who might not be the student who has always applied for scholarships or could be the student who is struggling a little bit.”
The high point of the program for students is they spend a week living on campus at St. Cloud State University (SCSU). They experience college life, receive three college credits and $125 upon successful completion. They also meet department heads and the university president.
“Last year, the students met [SCSU] President Wacker,” says Mohamud. “They really got to be intimate with these heads of departments.”
The program introduces students to more than college and education careers; it gives them different life experiences as well.
“Last year, we took them to a fancy restaurant by the lake,” smiles Mohamud. “It just gives them exposure to possibilities in life that they may not have known about.”
Though the camp itself lasts one week, the mentorship is an entire school year. In any other year, Mohamud would meet with the students weekly to check in with them, support their needs and help guide them. This year with COVID-19, the mentorship looks a bit different. Mohamud holds a monthly virtual book club with the students and then does a virtual meet or call with each student weekly.
“This year’s students received an FTA packet with a book on anti-racism catered towards high school students. We’re meeting like a book club,” says Mohamud. “They did not know what a book club was to begin with. Now, we have one where we help the student process what’s going on [in the book] both socially and emotionally.”
The club gives the students a voice and the chance for discussion of their own feelings. The group will continue to meet and discuss the book the remainder of the year. When the school year ends, they will spend their one week on campus.
Two years ago, a senior in the program was accepted into St. Cloud State University while attending camp. He is now in his second year of college, and Mohamud still stays in close contact with him.
“The student that was accepted to SCSU, he was struggling as a student,” shares Mohamud. “He had zero hope for college. He had issues outside of school as well. Now, he has completely changed his life around. He’s finished three semesters, traveled abroad to Costa Rica on an exchange program [and] has told me he didn’t know all this was possible. To me, that’s a success story.”
The Future Teacher Academy is changing students’ lives. From the school district’s point of view, the future never looked so bright.
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