From Discussion to Action
Following the USEA statement on standing against racism, the USEA Equity and Racial Justice leadership group was formed and met throughout the fall of 2020 to establish goals and foci. Alumni, master teachers, faculty, and co-directors from 12 UTeach programs serve on this leadership team.
Summit on Equity and Racial Justice in STEM Teacher Development
We held one-day summits in 2021 and 2022 to provide opportunities for diverse group of pre- and in-service teachers, higher education faculty and staff, and affiliated STEM education stakeholders to engage with issues related to equity and racial justice in STEM teacher development. Participants discussed how to move from discussion to action by identifying and articulating actionable steps related to ERJ that they can implement nationally and in their local contexts. See proceedings from those summits.
In 2023, we will host a half-day summit as the pre-conference for the UTeach STEM Educators Conference.
Co-chairs:
- Abria Harris, FSU-Teach Clinical Faculty and alumnus, Florida State University
- La Keisha Leonard, Master Teacher and alumna, Teach North Texas, University of North Texas
Professional Development Opportunities for the Network
This committee is working to curate and coordinate professional development opportunities in equity and racial justice for STEM education stakeholders, within and outside of the UTeach and USEA networks. View our progress and resources here.
Co-chairs:
- La Keisha Leonard, Master Teacher and alumna, Teach North Texas, University of North Texas
- Pamela Groves, Associate Professor of Practice, UTRGV UTeach, University of Texas Rio Grande
Equity and Racial Justice Research and Standards
This committee is working to create and curate a library of research and research-based resources and standards that address anti-racist practices and culturally responsive pedagogy in STEM education. This work will be the foundation on which the committee can build a framework to analyze and revise the UTeach curriculum to address equity and inclusion.
Co-chairs:
- Sumudu Lewis, Clinical Associate Professor and Director, UTeach, University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Mary Urquhart, Associate Professor, Department Head, and Director, UTeach Dallas, University of Texas at Dallas