Welcoming Cohort 8

Earlier this month, after a rigorous application process, TAF was thrilled to accept 19 new teacher candidates who are all highly-qualified and passionate about equity in education into the Martinez Fellowship.

On June 15th, this group of fellows, known as Cohort 8, convened at TAF’s Bethaday Community Learning Center for an evening event to serve as their first welcome to the Martinez and TAF family. This ceremony of sorts allowed time for the new fellows to introduce themselves to their peers and engage with a number of returning Fellows who joined them for the evening. Returning fellows shared their experiences as educators and as Fellows, which added excitement to the room about what their futures hold.

One thing was clear. Teachers of color play a crucial role in serving students of color in equitable ways, and to do that work, they must belong to a larger community.

The Martinez Fellowship is one way that Fellows are supported and energized in their work. These Fellows will be pursing their Master’s in Teaching at University of Washington – Seattle, University of Washington – Bothell, Seattle University, Pacific Lutheran University and Western Washington University. They will not only have a community and network stemming from their studies at their respective institutions, but will also have a place to develop with a network of minority teachers striving towards the same common goal of improving education for students, and serving as a reflection of the diverse population of students currently in Washington State.

We look forward to seeing all of our Cohort 8 Martinez Fellows (and the rest of the Fellows) at the annual Martinez Islandwood Summer Conference on Bainbridge Island this August. There, Fellows will develop relationships. learn practical pedagogical strategies, and hear from local thought leaders in education.

Join us in welcoming Cohort 8!