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Millersville University and the School District of Lancaster have created a pipeline program, the Future Educator Pathway, to address both the national teacher shortage and the underrepresentation of teachers of color. The program, coordinated by Dr. Miriam Witmer, associate professor of educational foundations, also supports current Millersville students of color who are education majors by providing them with leadership opportunities, professional experiences, a support group network and a faculty mentor who works with them through the certification process. Those students are then trained by Witmer to serve as mentors to middle school and high school students of color who are interested in pursuing a career in education.
Genesis Zayas-Garcia ’26, who participated as a student at McCaskey High School and is currently a leader in the program, explains the mission of the Future Educator Pathway this way: “ . . . a teacher shortage currently exists, particularly among teachers of color, despite the demographics of students [in the area around Millersville] being predominantly students of color,” she says. “The Future Educator Pathway program is a means to combat this shortage and support and empower students of color who wish to pursue a career in education.”
The Future Educator Pathway program starts in middle school and continues past college graduation. Students are encouraged to participate in all four phases:
- Mentoring Educators for Tomorrow (formerly Color of Teaching Mentoring Program), which pairs area seventh through 12th graders with Millersville student mentors from a variety of majors.
- Side by Side, which takes college students, typically education and social work majors, into area high schools to encourage them to consider a career in education or social work.
- Future Educator Academy, a residential experience at Millersville focused on college readiness and exploring careers in education.
- Dual Enrollment, during which local high school students attend Millersville classes and can earn up to 12 college credits before graduating from high school.
When participants graduate with a teaching certificate, they are guaranteed an interview for any open positions at the School District of Lancaster, which completes the pipeline.
Zoe Patterson, a first-year elementary education major at Millersville University, heard about the Future Educator Pathway program at McCaskey High School, where many of her teachers were Millersville graduates. She has participated in all four phases of the program and arrived on campus in a strong position to succeed.
“As someone who has experienced the Future Educator Pathway through and through, I would 10/10 recommend it every step of the way,” she says, “from spending the week on campus to taking college classes through dual enrollment to actively engaging in the club Color of Teaching to lastly getting amazing networking opportunities from college conferences. This has not only helped ease my way through my education process but has allowed me to explore my future firsthand.”
Patterson is living on campus with three other McCaskey graduates and first-year students who are participating in the Future Educator Pathway program: Aryanna Raeford – middle education major; Nemari Morales – secondary education major; and Lismarie “Astrid” Miranda-Cosme – early education major.
Alexa DiMaggio ’25, an educational studies major, graduated in December. She began participating in the Future Educator Pathway as a junior at Millersville, when she became involved with the Color of Teaching mentoring program, now known as Mentoring Educators for Tomorrow. “The Future Educator Pathway program provides invaluable early exposure to the field of education,” she says. “It allows high school students to explore teaching as a career while developing practical skills, building confidence and making professional connections. The program bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world classroom experience, which is incredibly helpful when making career decisions. It also offers mentorship opportunities, resources and a supportive community for aspiring educators.
“As an aspiring teacher, I’ve been able to immerse myself in the classroom environment – assisting with lessons, working one-on-one with students, and observing different teaching styles. These experiences have given me valuable insights into both the rewards and challenges of education. The mentorship I’ve received has encouraged me to continue pursuing teaching with even more dedication, and the skills I’ve gained will stay with me throughout my career.”
“The Future Educator Pathway is more than a program – it’s a commitment to equity, excellence and community,” says Dr. Lara Willox, dean of the College of Education and Human Services. “By cultivating leadership and mentorship among students of color from middle school through college, we are not only addressing the teacher shortage but also transforming the educational landscape to better reflect and serve our diverse communities. This initiative exemplifies our university’s mission to prepare educators who are reflective, resilient and ready to lead.”
