When US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona visited Glencairn Elementary School in East Lansing to learn about Talent Together, Sarah Al-Kabour—a Kindergarten Apprentice Teacher at Glencairn—knew she wanted to demonstrate the real challenges that aspiring teachers face. 

“It’s very real,” she said about the barriers to the teaching profession. “There is a need for teachers; how do we meet that need? We need to reduce the barriers if we want people to stay.” 

“I knew I wanted to communicate about those [barriers] with the Secretary, and I feel we did.” Here’s a look at Sarah’s at the crucial insights she shared during this pivotal conversation.

Making Teacher Education Financially Viable 

Sarah’s firsthand experience as a building substitute made her acutely aware of the financial obstacles on the path to teaching. Sarah cites the ability to work while attending school at Davenport University as the single most important barrier that Talent Together removed.

“It wouldn’t have been possible to have a job that pays the bills and pay for school—there are not enough hours in the day,” she noted. “That support is really necessary.”

Wraparound Supports

One of the standout features of Talent Together is the wraparound support provided to teacher candidates. Sarah highlighted how support from her success navigator streamlined the process of becoming a teacher. “My success navigator Chad figured out the best university for me to apply to…. it would have taken hours of research, so streamlining that process was huge.”

This hands-on guidance, coupled with the mentorship from her Educator Development Specialist, sets Talent Together apart from alternative routes. “It’s so different from alternative certification routes where you’re totally on your own,” she shared. 

Sarah also emphasized the support and coaching she received from her mentor teacher. “We’ve done a lot of tag-teaming and co-teaching,” she explained, showcasing the benefits of an apprenticeship model. “Watching her and learning has been invaluable.”

She pointed out that Talent Together’s support for mentor teachers sets the program apart. “There is actual support for [mentors] beyond, ‘here, go help this person become a teacher.’ Knowing that I’m not the only person communicating with TT feels like an important connection.”

A Moment to Be Heard

Secretary Cardona’s visit, which included a stop in Sarah’s kindergarten classroom, was an opportunity for Sarah to advocate for future educators. “It was wonderful to be seen and heard,” she noted, adding, “I felt we did communicate the importance of programs like Talent Together to the Secretary.” 

She hopes that her commitment to breaking down barriers will inspire broader systemic change on a national level.  She recalled, “[Secretary Cardona] grabbed his water bottle and was like, ‘What do you want me to bottle up and take back to Washington?’” 

“It felt really supportive.”