Future middle school teacher Jacqueline Rodarte spent the past two weeks helping to teach 95 migrant students from across the state who came to campus for the CSUF-Migrant Student Leadership Institute, funded as part of a $250,000 grant from the California Department of Education.
The July 11-25 residential program introduced participants to higher education and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning and careers.
“Migrant students are one of the most underserved student groups,” said Rodarte, a student in the single subject credential-social science program and a teaching assistant for the institute. “I enjoyed empowering the students to fulfill their goals and to realize that college is a viable option.”
Teacher credential program alumni taught the courses, with current credential students as teaching assistants. Miguel Zavala, assistant professor of secondary education, and Melba Schneider Castro, director of educational partnerships, co-directed the institute.