It is with great pleasure that we want to share the great news that Professor Travis Bristol (UC Berkeley) has been awarded the 2024-2025 Chancellor’s Awards for Public Service: Community Engaged Teaching Award
Professor Bristol’s public service work includes a research-practice-partnership in collaboration with Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). In 2023-24, the Teachers of Color UC Links program (TOC) served approximately 100 undergraduate students, 493 K-12 students and teachers and staff in after-school programs across 13 OUSD schools. Almost 25% of participating students were Black, 57% were Latinx, 40% were English Language Learners, and 80% percent from low-income backgrounds.
Through EDUC 150 & EDUC C181/AFRICAM C133A, the TOC supports the preparation of future teachers of color while engaging undergraduates with course material focused on topics such as the role of race in urban schools. Courses allow students to engage with the assigned course materials and apply it in the after-school program placements. Through theory and practice, undergraduates are able to learn how to build rapport with students, teaching skills, and gauge interest in pursuing a career in teaching.
Undergraduates work alongside K-12 teachers and after-school staff to provide informal learning opportunities for young people focused broadly on literacy, critical thinking, and social emotional learning. Undergraduates spend ~30 hours per semester in after-school programs building relationships and leading learning activities that range from homework help, to sports and games, STEM exploration, writing, drama, gardening etc.
Finally, undergraduates enrolled in EDUC 181/AFRICAM C133A have the opportunity to attend the American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference to present research, gain professional experience, engage with leading scholars, and explore careers in teaching and education.
Congratulations, Travis!