A School of Education program aims to encourage people of color to become educators in Pennsylvania, starting with students in high school.

The Genius, Joy and Love program, created two years ago by the School of Education, “brings rising high school seniors and first-year college students from Pittsburgh Public Schools to Pitt’s campus for a mini college experience that encourages them to consider careers in education.”

Cassie Quigley, chair of the Department of Teaching, Learning and Leading and professor of scene education, believes that it’s important to address why only 6% of Pennsylvania educators are people of color.

“It’s no secret that students of color often experience schooling in different ways than their white peers,” Quigley said. “If that experience was oppressive and isolating, what is the pull back into those physical spaces?” 

The program, now in its third year, received the University’s Partnerships of Distinction Award for its work. The participants are also able to receive the Advancing Educators of Color scholarship to gain funding to train to be educators.