San Juan College TeachUp is proud to announce the launch of TeachUp Academy, an initiative to enhance teacher retention and literacy rates within the local community.
San Juan College (SJC) TeachUp is proud to announce the launch of TeachUp Academy, an initiative to enhance teacher retention and literacy rates within the local community. This endeavor is possible through a generous grant of $300,000 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Michigan. The two-year grant provides financial support of $150,000 allocated for each year.
In close collaboration with partnering districts/schools, TeachUp Academy was born. Its primary objective is to provide training and ongoing support to mentors within local schools. The mentors are pivotal in nurturing new teachers, candidates for the Alternative Licensure Program (ALP) and long-term substitutes during their critical first two years of teaching.
Elizabeth Utley, Senior Director of Teacher Education at SJC, says "TeachUp Academy is a vital step toward ensuring our educators have the support they need to thrive in their roles. With the involvement of mentors who are deeply committed to the success of new teachers, we are building a stronger foundation for education in our community.”
The TeachUp Academy pilot program began in August and has active participation of over 150 teachers. The Academy provides ongoing professional learning for both mentors and mentees. Mentors receive support throughout the school year as they guide new teachers through the instructional improvement process. Mentees benefit from access to a trained mentor teacher for two years, and participation in summer workshops.
San Juan College TeachUp is immensely grateful to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for their continued support in helping improve the quality of education in our community.
For more information about San Juan College TeachUp and TeachUp Academy, please visit sanjuancollege.edu/teachup or email: TeachUp@sanjuancollege.edu.
About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal innovator and entrepreneur Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life.
The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Michigan, and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special attention is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti. For more information, visit www.wkkf.org.
