By: Sherika Heath
Jumpstart Alum, Spelman College
Urban Teachers DC Cohort 2015
I was in my sophomore year at Spelman College when I first heard about Jumpstart. At that time, I was unsure about teaching, however my love for reading, writing, and children led me to apply for Jumpstart. In my first year, I served as a Team Leader. As a Team Leader, I learned the importance of “paying it forward.” Jumpstart gave me the opportunity to be a change agent in my community of Atlanta by supporting underserved children who looked like me. I will forever be grateful for having the opportunity to serve as a Jumpstart Team Leader. Because of Jumpstart, I found my passion for teaching.
I picked Urban Teachers as my teacher preparation program because I knew that it would challenge me to become the best educator that I could be. I also knew that I would need support before becoming a teacher responsible for an entire class of students. Urban Teachers’ level of support and coaching was unmatched! I received a year-long residency, a master’s, and over 85 hours of 1:1 coaching. In addition, Urban Teachers’ commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was what helped me solidify my decision. I was 100% sure that Urban Teachers was the right pick for me.
Urban Teachers gave me the support and consistent feedback I needed to grow and prepared me to be the best educator I can possibly be.
When I first began my journey as an Urban Teacher’s resident, I was unsure and not confident in my performance as a teacher. Urban Teachers gave me the support and consistent feedback I needed to grow and prepared me to be the best educator I can possibly be. It is because of Urban Teachers’ support and belief in me that I was nominated by my colleagues as the 2019 Teacher of the Year for my school.
Sherika is currently a 3rd Grade Math Teacher at Friendship Armstrong Elementary and Middle School.
Learn how YOU can become a part of Urban Teachers!
Urban Teachers encourages Jumpstart members, team leaders and alumni to apply to launch their teaching career with Urban Teachers! You are considered a VIP and will get to bypass the initial stages of their selection process.
Click here to get started!
Urban Teachers is also very excited to announce the Black Educators initiative, a five-year effort to rapidly accelerate recruitment, support and retention of qualified, committed Black educators across Baltimore, DC, and Dallas. The Black Educators Initiative is designed to remove barriers inhibiting the recruitment and retention of Black educators through research-based and innovative approaches. Click here to learn more about this initiative and stay informed on further details surrounding eligibility and financial and programmatic support for Black applicants.
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