Mirror Project Aims to Improve Urban Education

There is a teacher shortage in U.S. schools, especially in urban schools. It’s a multi-faceted problem that Penn State Behrend is working to mitigate locally through The Mirror Project, an initiative that would address the shortage from several angles, including reducing financial barriers to college for would-be teachers, preparing education majors to teach in urban schools, and increasing minority teachers so that the population of teachers more closely mirrors the population of students.

“Teachers who look like their students serve as role models and mentors, help students learn more and dream higher, and reduce dropout rates,” said Dr. Eric Corty, director emeritus of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and professor emeritus of psychology, who spearheaded The Mirror Project.

In Erie’s Public Schools, where 34 percent of the students are black, only 3 percent of the teachers are black. There is only a 10 percent chance that any child will have a non-white teacher during his or her elementary years in Erie’s public school system.

In addition to growing the number of minority teachers, The Mirror Project aims to increase the number of urban students who are prepared to attend college by making changes to the Elementary and Early Childhood Education (EECE) program offered at Behrend.

Among the changes is a proposed Urban Education certificate that would provide EECE and Secondary Education in Mathematics majors with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of the cultural, historical, political, and sociological foundations of urban education and focus on best practices to support learners in an urban environment.

“Course options will explore topics such as utilizing trauma-informed teaching practices, serving culturally and linguistically diverse learners, and addressing sociological factors that influence urban education in the classroom,” said Dr. Michelle Cook, assistant professor of special education. “Though the certificate is still in development, we hope to offer it to our students at Behrend soon.”

Over time, as these students assume teaching positions in urban schools, the long-term outcomes of their students can be expected to improve,” Cook said.

“This change will not take place quickly,” Corty said, “but, like compound interest, it will be real, meaningful, and lasting. Erie and Penn State Behrend can stand together as an example of how a town-gown partnership can make a real difference in the futures of both.”

The Mirror Project seeks to cover the full cost of tuition at Behrend for an Erie Public Schools student who will be an EECE major. Corty has offered to match contributions up to $250,000 to The Mirror Project endowment. If you wish to contribute, contact Kevin Moore, director of development and alumni relations, at 814-898-6159 or kem7@psu.edu. For more information on the project, contact Dr. Michelle Cook at 814-898-6243 or mbc5376@psu.edu.

Easing Expenses for Business Students

Black School of Business helps cover the cost of certifications.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND DESIGNATIONS are an often-overlooked expense for business majors. Students can spend hundreds of dollars, or more, on exam fees and preparation materials pursuing certifications and designations that are important in their chosen fields.

Students in the Black School of Business can get help with these out-of-pocket expenses by applying for up to $1,000 in reimbursement for study guides, training materials, and exam fees.

Joseph Waeltz, a student in Behrend’s Finance program offered through World Campus, was pleased to qualify for funding through the Professional Designation Fund.

“In my case, it covered nearly $700 in expenses and exam preparation for my CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Level 1 exam, which I took in August,” Waeltz said. “The application process was easy, and I was beyond excited to learn that I would be reimbursed for those costs. They really add up.”

In the past five years, the Black School of Business has awarded more than $75,000 to nearly 125 students.

“The expenses must be for items outside of classroom work and students initially pay for them out of pocket and apply to be reimbursed,” said Dr. Ozgun Demirag, professor of operations and supply chain management and a member of the committee that evaluates all award applications. “The average amount we have awarded over the past five years is $15,000 annually.”

Peter Lamis, a senior dual majoring in Finance and Management Information Systems, used the funding to pay for his Scrum Master Certification.

“I plan on applying for my Data Analytics certification after I finish my data warehousing and business intelligence classes,” Lamis said.

With the help of the awards, students have been able to complete certifications such as Certified Financial Planner, Certified Public Accountant, and Project Management Professional at little to no cost, something any business major can recognize as a smart financial move.

Jessica Snider, who earned an Accounting degree in 2021 and a Master of Professional Accounting degree in May, received $1,000, which covered the exam fee for each of the four Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam sessions as well as the application fee. Her goal is to become a Certified Management Accountant.

“The Black School of Business is always looking for opportunities to help students achieve their professional goals, and this is just one of the ways the school contributes to our success,” Snider said. “I am extremely thankful for the fund. It relieved me of the financial burden it takes to become a CPA.”

MAJORS FUNDED

STUDENTS IN THESE MAJORS HAVE RECEIVED FUNDING IN THE LAST SIX YEARS: f Accounting f Business Economics f Finance (Behrend Residential and World

Campus) f Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering

Studies f International Business f Management Information Systems f Marketing f Project and Supply Chain Management f Master of Business Administration f Master of Professional Accounting f Master of Project Management