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My BrotherÌÇÐÄvlog¶ÌÊÓƵ™s Keeper Teacher Opportunity Corps (TOC) II Grant
Funded by the , the School of Education's Teachers of ColorÌÇÐÄvlog¶ÌÊÓƵ“Empowerment Network has four goals: recruitment, retention, coaching, and mentorship. The Teachers of Color Empowerment Network will recruit students from historically underrepresented backgrounds within the current School of Education student body and eligible students from community college partners, as well as cultivate prospective participants from partner high schools.
While completing their teacher education program at ÌÇÐÄvlog¶ÌÊÓƵ, TOC Empowerment Network students will attend monthly seminars, participate in workshops, and complete a 10-month internship in partner schools in New York City and Westchester County. These students will receive both academic and financial support, including access to mentors, financial support for certification exams, textbooks, and conference travel. Most importantly, students will learn alongside a supportive group of peers in clinically rich field experiences, which include a service-learning component.
This TOC grant will allow us to expand our reach and impact by helping us support BIPOC and underrepresented high school students who want to become teachers...financial need will not impose a barrier to educational and career preparation.
Tresmaine Grimes, Phd
Dean of Dyson College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education
TOC Empowerment Network Program Participation
Who is eligible to be a TOC Empowerment Network participant?
- New York state residents.
- From a group historically underrepresented in the teaching field (American Indian and Alaskan Native; Asian; Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander; Black/African American; and Hispanic/Latino/a) and/or economically- disadvantaged.
- Those interested and willing to work in schools with at-risk students.
- Enrolled full-time (min 6 credits) in an undergraduate or graduate program in the School of Education.
Please review the application for additional eligibility requirements.
TOC Empowerment Network Partners
We would like to thank our valued partners for their collaboration:
Teachers for Change Annual Conference
Starting in 2023 and each year, the Teachers of Color Empowerment Network students will gather with inspirational leaders to discuss important topics that support equity in education. Participants collaborate and engage in dialogue to deepen cultural understanding, build bonds, and create positive change in and out of the classroom.
Faculty
For more information, please contact Faculty Advisors Dr. Angela White, Dr. Tanya Wiggins (New York City Campus) and Dr. Shobana Musti (Westchester Campus).
Dr. Wiggins has nearly 25 years of experience as an educator. She bridges research and practice by exploring the triumphs and challenges of community-based youth organizations as educational spaces.
Dr. Shobana Musti is an Associate Professor in Special Education. With over 20 years in the field of special education, Dr. MustiÌÇÐÄvlog¶ÌÊÓƵ™s research has been in the area of academic interventions using evidence-based practices in urban school districts, primarily with students at risk of academic failure.
Dr. Angela White
Dr. Angela White is the Director of the Teachers of Color (TOC-II) program and serves as an Adjunct Professor of Special Education at ÌÇÐÄvlog¶ÌÊÓƵ.
With a distinguished 42-year career in PÌÇÐÄvlog¶ÌÊÓƵ“12 education, Dr. White began her professional journey as a Reading Specialist with the New York City Board of Education and advanced through a series of key leadership roles, including Director of Funded Programs, Assistant to the Superintendent, and Elementary Principal, all dedicated to improving outcomes for students with disabilities. Before her tenure as Superintendent, she served as Principal of Brookside School and Assistant Superintendent of the Ossining Union Free School District until her retirement.
After retiring, Dr. White became the Superintendent of Schools at the Biondi Education Center at Rising Ground, an NYSED-approved Special Education program. There, she led with a value-driven, student-centered, and trauma-informed approach. Under her leadership, the center offered comprehensive, individualized support for students with disabilities from Pre-K through 12th grade.
Throughout her career, she has remained deeply committed to ensuring equitable access to high-quality education for all studentsÌÇÐÄvlog¶ÌÊÓƵ”both with and without disabilities.