Supporting Teachers through the Black Educators Initiative

Donna Gladden, a first-year resident with STLTR, is a veterinary technician by trade. Like many STLTR residents, she spent years inside public schools in St. Louis, serving in a variety of support roles. 

Donna’s education journey began unexpectedly six years ago, when a friend told her about an immediate opening in a local high school’s career and technical education program.  “I was kind of thrown into the classroom and didn’t know anything,” Donna shared. 

Donna Gladden leads a small-group at Jackson Park Elementary in the School District of University City.

But after several years helping students learn how to care for animals, she knew she had found her passion. Donna wanted to become a lead-teacher, found STLTR through a Google search, and applied for the program.

“When I applied, I knew there would be a cost to certification, but I knew I would try to make it work,” she said. “Even though it was going to be a financial burden for me, I knew I needed to do it.”

For the past five years, STLTR has partnered with the National Center for Teacher Residencies’ Black Educators Initiative (BEI), to intentionally recruit and develop more Black educators for our city and our students. Launched in 2021, STLTR’s BEI program focuses on removing financial barriers for participants pursuing a career in the classroom, expanding opportunities for more candidates, like Donna, to enter the profession. Through this program, BEI cohort members have the opportunity to receive their teaching certification and Master’s degree at no cost, plus an additional stipend during their apprenticeship.

Donna Gladden teaches a fifth grade science lesson during her apprenticeship. Donna is currently working to become a certified teacher, with the goal of teaching middle school next year.

Today, Donna is completing her residency in the School District of University City and is on her way to becoming a certified science teacher next school year.

When she applied to the program, Donna shared, “Unfortunately, I didn’t fully decide on pursuing my career in education until after I graduated from Missouri State University. I have been working since 2017 to become a teacher. I thought I would never get the opportunity to earn my certification to teach until I discovered this program.”

“It’s just amazing to see more Black educators going into the classroom,” Donna added. “Becoming a certified teacher and earning a master’s degree has been my longtime goal.”

To learn more about STLTR’s support and training of Black educators, visit our website.