My Brother's Teacher - Cultivate Learning

Increasing teacher diversity and fostering success in future early childhood educators through mentorship, support, and opportunity.

Purpose

One factor shown repeatedly to be effective in supporting Black students in school is the presence of Black teachers in the classroom (Scott, 2016; Vilson, 2015; Goings & Bianco, 2016). Research has shown that Black male teachers in the classroom are a benefit to Black students (Milner, 2006; Ferlazzo, 2018; Anderson, 2015; Brown, 2009; Lynn, 2006). In light of this evidence, My Brother’s Teacher (MBT) has the goal of increasing the number of Black and Brown teachers in the classroom through an innovative fellowship program.

MBT seeks to diversify the early learning workforce by recruiting male high school Black and Brown students from the Greater Seattle area to complete college coursework in early childhood education at North Seattle College (NSC) and funded summer internships in Seattle’s early learning programs. These young men will receive 60 service learning hours and ongoing mentorship for their work. Although programming provides a supported path to and through college to pursue careers in education, Fellows are only committed to completing Phase 1 of the My Brother’s Teacher pathway.

With the University of Washington (UW), North Seattle College, Seattle Preschool Program (SPP) and Seattle Public Schools collectively working together, MBT is a program that will have an immediate impact in early childhood education. MBT offers early childhood education training, mentoring, and scholarships so that MBT Fellows will become certificated early learning teachers. Funding is provided by the Stranahan Foundation, Seattle Promise Program, and the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy of Seattle Public Schools.

For more information about MBT, email us at MBTSea@uw.edu.

Meet William White, from My Brother's Teacher

Goal

To diversify the early learning workforce in Seattle.
To support post-secondary opportunities in the field of education for Black and Brown males in Seattle.

Suggested Eligibility Criteria

Currently enrolled in 11th grade at a high school in the Greater Seattle area (9th and 10th graders are encouraged to apply if space becomes available).
Identify as a Black or Brown male.
Currently have a 2.0 or higher GPA. (Applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA will still be considered.)
Have a desire to learn about early childhood education.

Four Phase Framework

Throughout the entire experience, MBT Fellows will receive supportive mentoring and community building to promote retention, persistence, and attainment of a Masters degree in education and their early learning credential.

Phase One

High School Internships and Coursework

MBT Fellows will complete summer internships (junior-senior and senior-college).
Fall of senior year: MBT Fellows will complete a Child, Family, and Community course (3 credits) through North Seattle College.
Spring of senior year: MBT Fellows will complete a Health, Safety, and Nutrition course (5 credits) through North Seattle College.

*At the completion of Phase 1, MBT Fellows have the option to continue to Phase 2.

Phase Two

Associate of Arts Degree

MBT Fellows will complete their associates degree in Early Childhood Education at North Seattle College.
MBT Fellows will receive funding for their associate’s degree through the Seattle Promise Program.
MBT Fellows will continue to have mentoring and advising that sets them on a path to their Bachelor Degree.

See More Details about the College Component

North Seattle College

During Phase Two, MBT Fellows will continue to receive mentoring support and will begin getting college coursework advisement by an assigned college counselor. Fellows will be required to:

Maintain a 2.5 GPA.
Follow the required course sequence to obtain admittance into the Bachelor of Applied Science Early Childhood Education Program at North Seattle College or the Bachelor of Arts in Early Care and Education Program at the University of Washington (UW).
Fulfill the elective requirement by selecting relevant courses of their choice, with advisor input.

Phase Three

Bachelor of Arts Degree or Bachelor of Applied Science Degree

MBT Fellows will receive funding through the Academy of Rising Educators for their BA/BAS Degree.
MBT Fellows will have the option to:
A. Complete their Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Care and Education at the University of Washington.
B. Complete a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in early childhood education at North Seattle College.

See More Details about the College Component

University of Washington

MBT Fellows will begin their Bachelor of Applied Science in the Early Childhood Education coursework at North Seattle College on a full-time basis. The BAS program is delivered through both an online and hybrid model. Fellows will also receive one-on- one support from NSC Faculty for coursework help, mentorship, and field placement. Fellows will also be assigned a college faculty advisor, and continue to receive outside mentoring support. Fellows will be required to:

Maintain a 2.5 GPA.
Follow the coursework sequence to successfully finish their bachelor degrees.

North Seattle College

MBT Fellows will begin their Bachelors of Science in the Early Childhood Education coursework at North Seattle College on a full-time basis. The Bachelor of Science program is delivered through both an online and hybrid model. Fellows will also receive one-on-one support from NSC Faculty for coursework help, mentorship and field placement Fellows will also be assigned a college faculty advisor, and continue to receive outside mentoring support. Fellows will be required to:

Maintain a 2.5 GPA.
Follow the coursework sequence to successfully finish their bachelor degree.

Phase Four

Masters Degree + Teacher Certification

MBT Fellows will have the option of choosing from the following separate Master Degree Programs: Seattle Teacher Residency, Early Childhood Special Education, or UW Accelerated Certification for Teachers.
MBT graduates will be provided with support to apply for positions as lead teachers in the Seattle Preschool Program.
MBT Fellows Masters Degree will be funded by the Academy for Rising Educators.

See More Details about the College Component

Master’s Degree + Teacher Certification

During Phase Four, MBT Fellows will have the option of choosing among these separate master’s degree Programs at the University of Washington: Seattle Teacher Residency, Early Childhood Special Education, or UW Accelerated Certification for Teachers. Each of these pathways leads to a teacher certification. While obtaining their degree, Fellows will continue to receive mentorship, scholarship support, professional development, and introductions to other males of color in the field of education.

MBT graduates will be provided with support to apply for positions as lead teachers in the Seattle Preschool Program. MBT Fellows Master’s Degree will be funded by the Academy for Rising Educators.

Fellows will be required to:

Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Follow the required course sequence to complete master’s degree.
Have bi-weekly check-ins with faculty advisors.
Attend monthly professional development workshops.

Additional Mentorship and Workshop Components of the Four Phase Framework

Mentorship Component

Mentorship will be provided to MBT Fellows. Mentors will provide Fellows with an experience that will enrich their trajectory in life.

Fellows will be immersed in conversations about life experiences, the importance of maintaining their mental health, cultural awareness, leadership, job professionalism, and the importance of community service. Fellows will be required to: