Special to The Truth
Lourdes University President Mary Ann Gawelek, Ed.D., last week announced the appointment of Kimberly Scribner as Coordinator of the Teachers of Color Program, Like Me. Having worked in education for over 10 years, she brings a wealth of educational and leadership experience to this position.
As coordinator of Like Me, a program developed by the Lourdes University Division of Education, Scribner will work to decrease the disparity in teachers of color across our region and the country.
In 2016, the U.S. Department of Education reported that less than 20 percent of the U.S. K-12 teaching workforce are teachers of color, in comparison to 50 percent of the student population. In Ohio, just five percent of the K-12 teaching workforce, are teachers of color. In summer 2021, Lourdes University established Like Me: Diversifying the Educator Workforce.
The mission of this program is to attract, prepare and mentor students of color to obtain employment in partner schools in order to address the large disparity between students of color and teachers of color. To date, the University has established partnerships with Springfield Local, Sylvania, Toledo Public and Washington Local Schools.
Foundation and Corporate Partners include:
Greater Toledo Community Foundation, Inc.
Dr. Gene & Dr. Janet Robinson
O-I Charities Foundation
Waite-Brand Foundation
Signature Bank, N.A.
Mr. & Mrs. Robert C Savage Fund
The Patricia Flaherty (McNerney) Seifried Fund
A highly motivated educator with outstanding communication and developmental skills, Kimberly Scribner has built a strong record of achieving and exceeding targeted outcomes. She has served as an educator and leader in the Greater Toledo area for over 10 years. Her experience in the Greater Toledo and Atlanta Metropolitan areas range from mathematics educator to Dean.
Scribner was a driving force behind the academic and cultural improvement that occurred during her administration at Winterfield Venture Academy. Under her leadership, Winterfield was identified as one of the top K-8 schools in Toledo as measured by the Ohio Department of Education state report card.
Scribner was instrumental in the success of several initiatives including the implementation of new Middle School ELA, Math and Science curriculum, and a school-wide transportation program. As a result, the institution realized improvement in ELA, Math and Science Proficiency as measured by State Test as well as increases in parent and staff satisfaction surveys.
Successful in marketing and enrollment efforts, Scribner is excited about the opportunity to share this program with students of color and to help them begin their education careers.
Scribner earned her Bachelors in Education from Lourdes University, and her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Bowling Green State University.