Myron Clark and Cornelia Golden, students in the Division of Teacher Education, represented the Wayne State University College of Education as Teachers of Promise during the Network of Michigan Educators' annual banquet and conference earlier this month. The event, which took place in Novi on March 12-13, was presented in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Education and the Governor's Education and Talent Summit.

Clark and Golden were honored along with the Michigan Teacher of Year, National Board Certified Teacher and other recognized teachers at a reception. They also had the opportunity to network with other teacher leaders during sessions featuring local and national speakers - including State Superintendent Brian Whiston - and to explore and exchange ideas for transforming education in a Powered by Teach to Lead workshop.

Clark is pursuing his Master of Arts in Teaching through WSU Dream Keepers, an urban teacher residency program that provides long-term substitute teachers in Detroit school districts with an innovative pathway to rigorous, clinically-based teacher preparation. He co-teaches kindergarten at Coleman A. Young Elementary in the Detroit Public Schools Community District.

"As a Dream Keepers teaching resident, Mr. Clark is deeply committed to making a difference in the lives of Detroit schoolchildren every day. His kindergarten classroom buzzes with collaborative work, critical thinking and excitement for learning," said Leah van Belle, Ph.D., director of school partnerships and clinical practice and director of Dream Keepers. "Mr. Clark's commitment to his students includes engaging their families as well. He led the creation of a dads' club to support men in encouraging their children as learners. Mr. Clark is doing amazing things for our community, children and families."

Golden is in the TeachDETROIT program, which prepares students to teach in Detroit schools through rigorous, culturally relevant and clinically rich coursework. TeachDETROIT students earn certification and an MAT in a year. She currently teaches second grade alongside her mentor teacher, Carla Rotole, at Paul Robeson Malcolm X Academy in the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Golden has also worked as an intern at a UPrep Science and Math Elementary and Bennett Elementary schools in Detroit as part of her preparation program.

"Ms. Golden is already making important contributions to the lives of her students in Detroit schools," said Jennifer Lewis, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics education and director of TeachDETROIT. "She brings a gentle wisdom and high academic standards for her students. The TeachDETROIT family is proud to have Ms. Golden representing the kind of people who are choosing to teach in Detroit schools and to make a difference for families and for the life of the city."