In the Drake School of Education (SOE), we are transforming every day to achieve our mission to prepare, support, and inspire our students to lead and serve in a constantly changing world.
More than 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students are experiencing the transformational impact of a degree from the School of Education. For the third year in a row, 100% of our alumni were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
Our transformational impact is also notable through the efforts of our faculty. Faculty, conducting transformational research with students that will help schools address pressing challenges like building STEM skills and addressing mentally health issues. Faculty, creating transformational, hands-on learning experiences both in Des Moines and globally. Faculty, expanding innovative programs that are rooted in local partnerships like the launch of the eighth cohort of nearly 70 Des Moines Public School teachers, who are earning their master’s degree in Culturally Responsive Leadership and Instruction.
Our transformational support doesn’t end with graduation. The Drake Continual Improvement Network and individual coaching for our education leadership graduates supports them as they take on new roles as school and district leaders. We recognize the challenges that the field of education is facing. We know we’re on the precipice of a teacher shortage crisis. We also know that our efforts to transform every day make the Drake School of Education a leader in confronting this issue.
In August, we welcomed more than 30 high school students from diverse backgrounds for the Wanda Everage Academic Success Symposium, which is focused on supporting students from Des Moines Public Schools who come from backgrounds that are often under-represented on college campuses. We also hosted more than 160 teachers from across Iowa to the Emerging Educators Conference, which is designed to support teachers new to the profession. And in May, we will host the regional conference for Latinos in Action, an organization designed to build leadership and academic success skills for Latinx youth. Events like these develop a pipeline of strong current and future educators and create learning opportunities for the communities we serve.
The All In Giving Challenge is critical to each one of these efforts. Your gifts will empower us to transform every day and provide for the NOW that will build the better FUTURE for us all. Thank you for your support!
| Rank | State | Gifts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | IA | 19 |
| 2 | IL | 3 |
| 3 | CA | 2 |
