24 Oct2024
By Amelia Q. Rivera
AACTE recognizes Samira Bashiru of Purdue University as the October 2024 Holmes Scholar of the Month. Bashiru is a dedicated Ph.D. candidate in special education who embodies the spirit of academic excellence and community engagement that defines the AACTE Holmes Scholars Program. Her journey from Ghana to the United States exemplifies her commitment to advancing inclusive education and supporting diverse learners.
Research Focus
Bashiru’s research centers on evidence-based strategies and practices that support families and enhance the creativity and development of children with or without disabilities. Her particular interest lies in creativity in culturally and linguistically diverse learners with real or perceived disabilities, a focus that addresses a critical need in today’s diverse educational landscape. She has published a systematic review listed at the end of the article entitled “Best Practices for English Learners with Disabilities in US Schools – A Systematic Review.” Currently, Bashiru is working on two research papers:
- Evidence-based practices for English Learners with disabilities
- Creativity in preschoolers with and without speech disorders
20 Sep2024
By AACTE
AACTE’s Holmes Program continues to grow, onboarding a new scholar to kick off the fall semester. Please join AACTE in welcoming Anqi Fan, from the University of Louisville.
20 Sep2024
By Amelia Q. Rivera
AACTE recognizes Esmeralda Cartagena Collazo as the September 2024 Holmes Scholar of the Month. Cartagena Collazo’s outstanding contributions to academia, research, and education, exemplify the spirit of scholarly excellence and dedication to advancing education for marginalized communities.
Cartagena Collazo is pursuing a Ph.D. in Literacy, Language & Culture, at Texas Woman’s University, with an expected graduation of December 2025. Her academic foundation includes a post-baccalaureate certificate in biliteracy from Texas Woman’s University and both a master’s in education (specializing in curriculum and teaching English as a second language) and a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education in ESL from the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico.
17 Sep2024
By Esmeralda Cartagena Collazo
From an early age growing up in Puerto Rico, I developed a deep passion for languages. I was exposed to both Spanish and English, and I dreamed of becoming fluent in English, believing it would open doors for me. I thought that moving to the United States would make that dream come true, but my experience as a new student was far from what I had imagined. I didn’t have the support I needed, and instead of learning the language, I found myself isolated and struggling. However, those early challenges didn’t deter me from my goal. They fueled my determination to master the language that had once felt out of reach.
Like many newcomers, my journey was marked by perseverance. I continued to learn English despite the obstacles, and eventually, I pursued higher education, earning both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English as a Second Language (ESL). Today, I’m close to completing my Ph.D. Becoming an educator, especially in a language that wasn’t my first, was a way for me to turn my struggles into opportunities — not just for myself but for the many students and teachers I now support.
26 Aug2024
By AACTE
The call for applications for the second cohort of the Journal of Teacher Education (JTE)-Holmes Co-Editorship is now open. Selected scholars will co-author an editorial or manuscript that will appear in JTE’s special anniversary issue on teacher residency programs in 2025. This opportunity is specifically for Holmes Scholars who would like to learn how to write and publish a piece of quality scholarship in a high-impact academic journal.
Through JTE, AACTE is committed to ensuring that the next generation of education scholars, particularly underrepresented scholars, are supported as they advance their research and scholarship. The first cohort of JTE Holmes guest editors will speak about their experiences in a webinar on Thursday, September 5, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST.
19 Aug2024
By AACTE
The AACTE Holmes Scholars Program is committed to providing its members with exceptional professional development opportunities throughout the year. Two upcoming webinars will spotlight the groundbreaking work of the AACTE Holmes Scholars Program and the work of scholars.
Both webinars offer a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into the Holmes Program and its impact on educational leadership and research. AACTE encourages you to participate in these discussions and explore how these models of mentorship and research can enhance your own professional journey.
16 Aug2024
By Amelia Q. Rivera
AACTE recognizes Sean Hembrick, M.Ed., as the August 2024 Holmes Scholar of the Month. A fourth-year doctoral student in higher education at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), Hembrick exemplifies the dedication, scholarship, and leadership that the Holmes Scholars program seeks to foster.
From Harlem to Higher Ed: Sean Hembrick’s Journey to Empower Black Scholars
Hailing from East Harlem, New York City, Sean’s academic journey is a testament to his commitment to education and social justice. Hembrick holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and sociology from Binghamton University, a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Queens College (CUNY), and a Master of Education in student affairs in higher education from Texas State University. Hembrick brings a rich interdisciplinary perspective to his doctoral studies.
29 Jul2024
By AACTE
The call for applications for the second cohort of the Journal of Teacher Education (JTE) Holmes Co-editorship is now open. Selected scholars will co-author an editorial or manuscript that will appear in JTE’s special anniversary issue on teacher residency programs in 2025. This opportunity is specifically for Holmes Scholars who would like to learn how to write and publish a piece of quality scholarship in a high-impact academic journal.
Through JTE, AACTE is committed to ensuring that the next generation of education scholars, particularly underrepresented scholars, are supported as they advance their research and scholarship. The first cohort of JTE Holmes guest editors will speak about their experiences in a webinar on Thursday, September 5, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST.
Read more about the application or apply now. Applications are due on Wednesday, September 18 at 6 p.m. EST.
15 Jul2024
By AACTE
AACTE’s Holmes Program continues to grow, onboarding new programs and Scholars throughout the summer. Join AACTE in welcoming Holmes Scholars from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and Old Dominion University to this vibrant community.
27 Jun2024
Promoting Equity and Excellence: Jackson’s Journey in Science Education
By Amelia Q. Rivera
The AACTE Holmes Scholars Program is proud to feature Jennifer Jackson, Ph.D., as the June 2024 Holmes Scholar of the Month. Jackson recently defended her dissertation last month and will be graduating in August in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on science education at Pennsylvania State University, where she has distinguished herself through her research, teaching, service, and leadership.
Jackson’s research focuses on how secondary science teachers communicate within professional learning spaces while attending to equitable, culturally responsive pedagogy. Her work explores how providing professional learning opportunities for teachers to engage in identity work can inform their teaching practices and ability to create inclusive science classrooms. Jackson has presented her research at prestigious conferences like the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) and has traveled abroad to present her work in Germany at the 2023 European Science Education Research Association (ESERA) summer school as a summer institute fellow. Additionally, she has several publications in research journals such as the Journal of Science Teacher Education.
25 Jun2024
By Srijana Katuwal
Participating in AACTE’s Washington Week as a Holmes Scholar and representing Ohio University on different platforms was truly an enlightening and fulfilling experience. Given my international background, this event was a wonderful occasion for me to learn, share, and actively engage in democratic processes that shape the policy of U.S. education.
One of the major highlights of the week was our visit to Capitol Hill. The mentorship provided by AACTE’s program was instrumental in preparing state leaders, Holmes Scholars, and other attendees for advocacy on Capitol Hill. It was an exhilarating and impactful experience to address critical issues in the current educational landscape for policymakers and pave the way to see a positive change in the education sector. The advocacy team I was on was comprised of seasoned state leaders. We focused on addressing federal issues that are prevalent across the states, such as quality education, funding for teacher preparation programs, holistic support for teachers, and the need for a diverse teaching workforce. We shared our state’s best practices for tackling these issues with the legislator’s aides.
20 May2024
By Sacred Heart University
Four Sacred Heart University students and one alum from SHU’s doctor of education in educational leadership program presented their dissertation research during the preconference portion of this year’s AACTE 2024 Annual Meeting in Denver, CO.
Tanya Collins ’25 gave a round table presentation about the impact of summer programs on the academic achievements and self-efficacy of students of color. “Receiving critical and constructive feedback from peers about my dissertation proposal was significant,” said Collins, assistant principal and director of human resources at the Interdistrict School for Arts & Communication in New London.
Collins and the other SHU participants are scholars associated with the AACTE’s Holmes Program, which supports racially or ethnically diverse students enrolled in doctoral programs in education. SHU’s Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development (FCEHD) is one of more than 50 AACTE member institutions that sponsor the Holmes Program, which offers networking, mentorships, and the opportunity to present research at the annual AACTE meeting.
29 Apr2024
By Amelia Q. Rivera
Congratulations to Indra Lyn Owens, the distinguished Holmes Scholar of the Month for April 2024. Owens is an inspiring educator, counselor, and community leader who embodies the spirit of the Holmes Program. As a second-year doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Rowan University, Owens is dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through mental health advocacy and building resilient families.
Owens’ passion for service began early as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, embracing the mantra “Service to All Mankind.” Her commitment to being an agent of positive change in her community is woven through every aspect of her work and life.
28 Mar2024
By Amelia Q. Rivera
For March’s AACTE Holmes Scholar of the Month, we are thrilled to highlight Jaminque L. Adams, a doctoral candidate in the Educational Theory and Practice program at the University of Georgia (UGA). Adams’ research focuses on Black studies in education, centering the voices, labor, and experiences of Black women educators and their students. Her passion stems from her own journey as a student in Detroit Public Schools and a former teacher at a public charter school in Houston, TX.
Adams’ commitment to uplifting Black women educators shines through her impressive scholarly work and involvement. In the summer of 2023, she was a summer research fellow and later selected as a graduate research assistant for the Black Teacher Archive Project at Harvard University. She is currently guest editing a special issue of Educational Studies Journal titled “When We See Us: The Interior Lives of Black Women Educators and Their Students Within Carceral Spaces.”
25 Mar2024
By Nicole Dunn
AACTE is proud to offer financial and professional development support to Holmes scholars enrolled in doctoral studies in early childhood special education to help them take their research and careers to the next level through our partnership program with the Early Childhood Intervention Personnel Center on Equity (ECIPC-E) at the University of Connecticut. This national initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs, aims to enhance outcomes for infants and young children with disabilities and their families by bolstering the pipeline of skilled early childhood leaders and practitioners.
