Introducing our Educators Spotlight Series

Meet Carol

Listen to Carol's video testimonial as she discusses the importance of a shared identity in fostering trustful relationships with students. Carol is a College & Career Counselor at Terra Linda High School.

"[Students] need our stories to help inspire them to see what other opportunities are out there for them."

In each newsletter, we will highlight an educator of color within our Partnership as a part of our Spotlight Series.

Career Technical Education (CTE) for Educators

A Peak into a Day of the San Rafael High School Educator Academy

"SRHS Educator Academy students had a full day on March 29th. The day started at San Pedro Elementary where our students, many of whom are San Pedro alumni, read books in different classrooms to honor Women's History Month. After reading to a 2nd/3rd grade combo class, Educator Academy student Beverly Ramos emerged from the classroom with a big smile and said, "Now I know that I want to be a teacher!"

After San Pedro, students visited College of Marin, touring its different learning communities, learning about the process to transfer to 4-year colleges, and finding out about financial aid. The Educator Academy students and teachers are very grateful to everyone at College of Marin for coordinating such an informative tour!"

-Stacey Farrell

Educator Academy Lead, San Rafael High School

The Educator Academy is finishing its inaugural year at San Rafael High School.The SRHS Educator Academy aims to encourage and support students, especially those of color, in their exploration and pursuit of careers in education, emphasizing the social justice impact that teaching can bring to the community.

Undergraduate Educator Pathway

College of Marin and Sonoma State University have continued to lead the undergraduate piece of the “Grow Your Own” Pathway work to develop a cohesive, equitable pipeline for students to complete an undergraduate degree. This pipeline knits together a series of programs, support systems, and experiences into a clear pathway designed specifically to meet the needs and interests of BIPOC students.

Innovative Partner Collaborations: Sonoma State University (SSU), College of Marin (COM), Marin County Office of Education (MCOE), 10,000 Degrees (10KD), and local school districts have united to strengthen connections between students, institutions of higher education, community based organizations, and potential employers in Marin County. This collaboration has led to several major initiatives including:

Connecting Pathway Students Directly to District Jobs: Partners are working towards integrating paid work experiences, mentorship, and professional development into the undergraduate pathway through MOUs that utilize the apprenticeship model.
Pioneering a “Cost-Free” Undergraduate Pathway: SSU, COM, and 10KD are working to create a “cost-free” undergraduate pathway. They have met to analyze how existing grants, scholarships, and job opportunities can cover costs like housing, tuition, books, fees, and living expenses. The next focus is on bridging any financial gaps and providing clear, accessible guidance, and support to prospective students.
A Unified Database: A shared database of pathway students will be developed as a tool that will streamline the process for both students and employers, making it easier to track progress, measure success, and ensure that every student on the pathway is accounted for and supported.

Teacher Residency

San Rafael City Schools/ Alder Teacher Residency Program

The Teacher Residency program led by Mary Kate Kenney, the Teacher Residency Coordinator, has just celebrated the completion of its inaugural cohort, marking a significant milestone in its mission to foster educational excellence and diversity. This first group of 13 Resident Teachers bring a wealth of experience and perspective, with 12 of them being residents of color. Impressively, 9 of these individuals are current classified staff members, and 4 are proud alumni of the San Rafael City Schools (SRCS).

As the program wraps up, the future looks bright for these dedicated educators. Eleven of the thirteen Resident Teachers have already secured positions within the San Rafael City School District, ready to bring their skills and passion to local classrooms. Additionally, one Resident Teacher has been hired to support the Special Education (SPED) program in the Novato Unified School District, broadening their impact even further.

A few of the residents are eagerly awaiting the finalization of their Bilingual Authorization Certificates (BCLAD), which will enable them to bring even more valuable bilingual education support to San Rafael students and will make them eligible to receive annual bonuses.

This successful launch of the Teacher Residency program not only highlights the talent and commitment of these new educators but also underscores the program's role in enhancing the diversity and quality of education within the community.

Novato Unified School District (NUSD) and Sonoma State University (SSU) are launching a dynamic Teacher Residency Program in June 2024

Novato Unified School District has joined forces with Sonoma State University to form a new teacher residency program with the primary goal of recruiting and training talented new teachers who reflect the diversity of Novato's students. This pathway is open to individuals from Novato and nearby areas, particularly seeking bilingual (Spanish) candidates and aspiring educators from diverse backgrounds. During the 2024-25 academic year, selected candidates will participate in an intensive teacher preparation program at Lynwood Dual Language Immersion School and Lu Sutton Elementary School. Those accepted will receive a $34,000 stipend over 10 months, plus additional scholarships of $20,000 to $25,000. For more information, contact Rick van Adelsberg.

Teacher and Staff Diversity Data in Marin

This data from the California Department of Education (2018-19) displays how many staff members of a particular race there are for every 100 students of that same race. Let's compare teacher and staff diversity in Marin through this lens.

There are 8.86 white staff per 100 white students compared to 1.09 Latinx staff per 100 Latinx students.

Of the 1,872 total teachers and staff in Marin County, 1,642 of them are White, 6 are American Indian/Alaska Native, 10 are Filipinx, 41 are Asian, 10 are Black, 24 are two or more races, and 110 are Latinx.

View the data

Affordable Educator Housing

Affordable housing is essential for hiring and retaining educators of color, especially in high-income areas like Marin County. High living costs can deter diverse candidates and lead to high turnover. Affordable housing ensures educators can live near heir work, fostering stability, job satisfaction, and stronger community ties. It promotes economic diversity, equity, and inclusion, allowing educators of color to thrive personally and professionally.

Here are a couple updates on efforts in Marin to expand affordable housing for educators:

Novato school district picks workforce housing consultant

Summary: Novato Unified School District (NUSD) has selected Brookwood Partners, an Oakland-based real estate development firm, to consult on its workforce housing program. Pending approval, Brookwood will conduct a feasibility study to assess costs and budget projections. Brookwood has successful projects in Daly City, Half Moon Bay, and Pacifica and aims to replicate their achievements in Novato. Trustees stress the importance of aligning with Novato's close-knit community and ensuring access to local resources. Next steps include: a tour of Brookwood's Daly City project and ongoing collaboration with Novato's workforce housing advisory committee. Their next meeting is on April 15.

“All signs point to the teachers and staff who are living there all being very happy.” - Chris White

“‘The school district "depends on the support of our community…you need to be very careful to be in step with the community.’” - Ross Millerick

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Novato school district to vet properties for workforce housing

Summary: Novato Unified School District is moving forward with plans to utilize its properties for affordable educator housing, with a focus on the San Andreas site. Funding sources include surplus property sales, state grants, and resident income. The initiative aligns with Assembly Bill 2295, mandating specific requirements for educator housing which aims to address housing challenges faced by employees. With potential completion in five to eight years, the project coincides with uncertainties in housing demand. Committee members, including district officials and community representatives, will visit successful housing sites for insights. The effort seeks to retain staff and mitigate turnover, addressing the pressing issue of staffing shortages.

“‘The education workforce has been priced out of the housing market in Marin.’” - Derek Knell

“A similar survey in 2018 indicated that 63% were considering leaving their jobs within five years because of the cost of housing, while 87% said they would consider staying longer if housing were provided.”

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