“Teacher Diversity Project ”
Recruits Future Educators

More than 250 middle and high school students attended the 2005 fall conference of the Teacher Diversity Project held at Sonoma State University on Dec. 2. The conference was specifically aimed at recruiting future teachers from area middle schools, high schools and community colleges, especially those for the fields of math and science. Attendees came from many local schools, including Santa Rosa High, Analy High, El Molino High, various Windsor high schools and the Cali Calmecac Dual Immersion Charter
School.

At the event, representatives from SSU admissions and financial aid offices, as well as the School of Education and Academic Programs, provided key admission information related to teaching careers. Brigitte Lehman, Sam Brennan, and current math students welcomed students and share their experiences as teachers and Roberto Ramirez presented students with a message to succeed in the fields of science and engineering as well as math. The Spring TDP Conference will host students from community and junior colleges to focus on similar efforts. In addition to their bi-annual conferences at SSU, the TDP also organizes student outreach activities throughout the year. The TDP is supported by lottery funds allocated through the office of Academic Affairs, and is directed by Ellie Gálvez-Hard.

Cultural Resource Center Opens at
Windsor School with Help From SSU

A new Cultural Resource Center opened at Cali Calmecac Dual Immersion Charter School in Windsor recently as part of the “Teachers Improving Math/Science for English Language Youth” grant. TIMSELY is a one-year grant-supported project initiated through the Windsor Unified School District. Cooperation between SSU and WUSD is an ongoing effort to serve many teachers in isolated regional areas. More than 40 faculty and administrators from Windsor Unified School District, SSU alumni, current credential students, and SSU School of Education faculty gathered at the event to celebrate the opening. The Center at Cali Calmecac will house activities designed to provide professional and academic support for improving science and mathematics learning among English language learners. An open house for the parents and the community is scheduled for the spring as part of the literacy outreach program, which will include Spanish, English, and several indigenous languages from Oaxaca, Mexico.