Together We Go Further: Examining a Collaborative Approach to Recruiting STEM Majors of Color

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Recruiting and Retaining STEM Teachers for and From Diverse Communities

Abstract

Given the urgent call to diversify the teaching force shortage areas in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education signal the need to prioritize recruitment of a new cadre of teacher candidates who may not have an education background such as career changers or STEM majors. Recruiting STEM teachers is a critical issue in urban districts that serve large populations of racially, ethnically and linguistically diverse students. This paper is a report on the outcomes of the year-long pilot project, Transforming & Innovative Practices in STEM Education (TIPS), designed to recruit STEM majors of color into teaching. Research results highlight factors that support or hinder high quality STEM majors’ decision to become teachers.

Authors

• Tabora A. Johnson, Medger Evers College - CUNY

• Salika A. Lawrence, The College of New Jersey

• Chiyedza Small, Medgar Evers College, City University of New York