AFT President Randi Weingarten Visits Newark to Celebrate Red Hawks Rising Teacher Pathway
The visit highlighted the experiences of Newark students pursuing a future in education through Montclair State University’s Red Hawks Rising program.
AFT President Randi Weingarten speaks to the Red Hawks Rising program students and educators at University High School in Newark.
For the students of Red Hawks Rising, the opportunity to become teachers begins while they are still in high school. On September 14, that work was highlighted during a visit from American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten to University High School in Newark.
Weingarten met with current Red Hawks Rising students and alumni, including University High School alumnae Leonellys Rodriguez and Rihannah Bell, who are now students at Montclair State University pursuing teacher certification. The visit offered an opportunity for students to share how the program has shaped their experiences and aspirations as future educators.
Red Hawks Rising (RHR) is a program of Montclair State University’s College for Education and Engaged Learning (CEEL) that prepares Newark high school students for careers in education. Established in 2019, the program is a partnership among Montclair State University, the Newark Board of Education (NBOE) and the AFT.
Through Red Hawks Rising, students enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher Academies can begin taking courses at Montclair State University while still in high school and earn up to 30 college credits. The program also combines college coursework with hands-on experiences, including a summer academy and work-based learning opportunities in schools.
Students receive support as they prepare for the transition from high school to college and a career in education. Those who complete the program graduate from high school with 30 college credits and a promise of a $74,000+ teaching contract with the Newark Board of Education. They can enter Montclair with sophomore status and access to opportunities including scholarships, campus employment, and a paid substitute teaching license as they work toward their teaching certification.
The program reflects a shared commitment among Montclair State University, the Newark Board of Education, and the AFT to expand pathways into the teaching profession and help prepare educators who understand and are connected to the communities they serve.
Weingarten’s visit highlighted the students at the center of that work and the growing partnership among the organizations supporting the next generation of Newark educators.
For more information about Red Hawks Rising, contact redhawksrising@montclair.edu.
- Published
