Contact: Sean McFarland, MA
Public Relations & Communications Manager
Email: sdmcfarland@carlow.edu
Phone: 412-260-6807
The “Power of One” partnership with Sto-Rox school district will provide opportunities to diversify Pittsburgh’s educator pipeline
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Carlow University has been awarded a total of $450,000 from two grants to back the education department’s “Power of One” project, aimed at providing teacher certification for educators of color in Pittsburgh. Each respective $225,000 grant was awarded by the McElhattan Foundation and the Grable Foundation to support a strategic partnership between Carlow and the nearby Sto-Rox school district.
The “Power of One” grant will allow Carlow and Sto-Rox to offer a seamless and supportive degree pathway for initial teacher certification for Black and Indigenous people of color. In total, the program anticipates the certification of 18 teachers.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of these two foundations to support diversity among teachers,” said Keely Baronak, chair of Carlow University’s education department. “The Power of One project will have a tangible impact on increasing the number of educators of color in a district where 73% of students identify as Black and multi-racial and further solidify the already strong relationship between Carlow and Sto-Rox.”
”Power of One” is named to highlight the power of a single teacher or educator to positively impact the trajectory of a child’s life. The program offers different pathways to certification based on an individual applicant’s previous education experience. Initial teaching certification is available for specialization in early childhood, reading specialists, special education, art education or secondary education.
“The Power of One project is a great opportunity not only for the students of the Sto-Rox School District but also for the community of Sto-Rox,” said Frank Dalmas, Sto-Rox superintendent. “The Power of One provides opportunities and professional growth to our local residents who in turn want to give back to the children of the Sto-Rox Community. I can’t express my appreciation enough for all the individuals at Carlow University who support our school and community and go the extra mile for us.”
The opportunity is a boon to the already strong relationship between Carlow and Sto-Rox. The school district will provide continuing full-time employment throughout the length of the program for Power of One participants as they complete student teaching for teacher certification.
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About Carlow University
Carlow is a private, co-educational, Catholic university located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s “Eds, Meds, and Tech” district. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1929, Carlow’s curricula and partnerships reflect its strong commitment to social justice; ethical, forward-thinking and responsible leadership; and service to the community that has a meaningful impact. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered in two colleges: the College of Health and Wellness and the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Health and Wellness includes the departments of Nursing, Respiratory Care, Healthcare Data Analytics, Health Management, and graduate degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and the Physician Assistant programs. Graduate programs in Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy will soon be added.
Carlow University also believes in the education and growth of students both inside and outside the classroom, where they can join student government, clubs, and academic honorary societies where they can develop skills in judgment, leadership, analysis, decision-making, and communication. For student-athletes, Carlow’s 14 athletic teams are known as the Celtics, a reflection of the university’s Irish heritage and roots.