Five Latinx Avila School of Education students were each recently awarded a $3000 grant to assist with the educational cost of pursuing their dream of being an educator. The grant was awarded to Avila University by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and through it, Avila partnered with the Latinx Education Collaborative (LEC).
The five students awarded are:
- Emily Garrido-Calva
- Karley Gutierrez
- Adriana Puentes
- Jade Valdez
- Ka’Zem Wood
“We are fortunate to have received grant money to support our Latinx students and encourage and excite them about the teaching profession. I had the privilege of notifying several of our grant winners, and each student reacted to the news with excitement, and enthusiasm, and reported that this would help dedicate them to their studies and their dedication to become a teacher. We look forward to the impact these students will make in their communities,” said Natalie Cobb, Ed.D., chair of the School of Education.
“Avila’s hope is that through this grant, we can bring more diversity to the teaching profession and provide a unique path for members of the Latinx community specifically, who may otherwise not be able to complete a teaching degree,” said Stacy Keith, Ed.D., vice president for academic affairs. “We believe this partnership will enrich our program by adding more diverse perspectives and voices and provide more opportunities for K-12 students to have teachers that better represent their communities.”
According to the LEC, Emerging data shows that educational outcomes improve when students are exposed to diverse teaching staff. While 25% of K-12 students across the country identify as Latinx, only 8% of educators do; the LEC wants to close that gap.
