CSP Team’s ‘Soul Work’ Aims to Address Pandemic’s Impact on Foster Youth

From left: Ashley Kruger, Tonika Green and Jennica Paz.

By Michael Klitzing

For young people in the foster care system, school can be an empowering place. It’s a setting to build relationships, find a sense of belonging and gain access to mental health support services. 

 

That place of refuge all but vanished with the COVID-19 shift to virtual learning. Even with in-person classes back, the impacts on foster youth are still rippling out. 

$1.2 Million NSF Grant Funds New Science Teacher Pipeline

Two San Diego teachers participate in a coding workshop at SDSU.

By Michael Klitzing

During teacher recruitment calls with school district administrators, Donna Ross often hears a touch of desperation when the topic turns to certain subjects. 

 

“The panicked calls come late in summer asking about chemistry and physics,” said Ross, an associate professor of science education at San Diego State University. “Most years, we just don't have applicants for those areas. I'm lucky in my methods course if we have one physics student." 

 

It’s far from a local problem. California has faced a statewide teacher shortage for years, and science teachers are one of the most acute areas of need. 

An Alumna's Journey From Migrant Student to San Diego County Teacher of the Year

Photo by Terri Rippee.

By Michael Klitzing

Juanita Nuñez’s (’01) road to becoming one of San Diego County’s best teachers started with 524 miles of sun-scorched asphalt. 

 

The combination of highways spanning the California farming communities of Salinas and Calexico defined much of the San Diego State University alumna’s childhood. Nuñez — who was born near the journey’s midway point in the town of Camarillo — was constantly on the move between north and south, and from one classroom to the next. 

Lifelong Passion for Literacy Earns Fisher Reading Hall of Fame Honor

By Michael Klitzing

Douglas Fisher still recalls his first college paper, written for an English class when he was a first-year student at San Diego State University. The topic he chose to write about was aliteracy — the state of being able to read, but choosing not to. 

 

Now professor and chair in SDSU’s Department of Educational Leadership (EDL), Fisher’s passion for literacy hasn’t dimmed.