Before a packed ballroom of educators last month, Betsy Sherman shared how as a former teacher of high risk students she felt called to make a difference, particularly in the lives of the youngest children, who can’t speak for themselves.
At the time, she and her late husband, George, asked themselves: “What could we do to start something that would touch lives forever?” Twenty years later, the Sherman Scholars program continues to thrive at UMBC—a living expression of the Shermans’ shared vision.
“I can’t even tell you how much it means to me to have been part of an organization like UMBC, a wonderful institution that promotes children’s welfare throughout our communities; and your dedication and your devotion to the future of our country is immeasurable,” she told the crowd.
The program, which this fall turned 20, so far has produced nearly 350 teachers, many of whom now teach in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and surrounding areas in Maryland. The Sherman Center also weaves its work deeply into communities close to UMBC, including high-dosage math tutoring for students in grades one through eight, summer math and STEAM programming, early learning partnerships that expand community and school capacity to provide strong early childhood experiences, and more.
Nearly 200 program alumni and supporters—including members of the Sherman family, UMBC President Emeritus Freeman Hrabowski, and former Sherman director Rehana Shafi and Executive Director of the Sherman Family Foundation Joshua Michael ’10, Ph.D. ’22, and Michael Sarbanes, executive director of the Sherman Center—filled the University Center Ballroom to celebrate these successes and those to come.
“The Sherman Scholars program embodies the very best of UMBC,” said UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby. “For 20 years, it has paired academic excellence with a deep commitment to our community, preparing compassionate, culturally responsive teachers in partnership with schools across Baltimore City and County. As we look to the future through our new Bold Moves strategic plan, we are building on that legacy—deepening our partnerships and expanding what is possible for children and families across our region.”
Ushering young minds
Corey Carter ’08, M.A. ’10, a “STEP Two” Sherman Teacher Education Program Scholar (or member of the second cohort) who now leads the Sherman Scholars program as director, spoke to a crowd like this as George and Betsy Sherman Hall was first being dedicated. Twenty years later, he invited alumni—fellow teachers like himself—to stand and soak in the appreciation for the work they have all been called to do.
“Sherman at 20 represents a remembrance of where we started and why, while meeting the present moment and all that it asks of teachers who usher young minds towards the future,” he said. “For the future, we will continue to delve thoughtfully into the social constructs and positionality that make us who we are and to challenge ourselves to center students and the funds of knowledge and culture that flows through their communities.”
Coral Beth Garcia, principal of Lakeland Elementary Middle School, a longtime partner of the Sherman program, expressed thanks for the depth of the relationship her school has with UMBC and its students.
“Our Sherman educators and interns learn our scholars’ names, connect with our families, andfind their place in our school community,” she said. “One of my favorite parts of the work is when they choose to stay, joining us as teachers or continuing to support our after-school programming.”
The next generation of teachers
A current Sherman Scholar who is student teaching at Westowne Elementary School this semester, Funmi John described the joy of finally making a connection with a child who had trouble regulating his emotions at school. In a moment after class, he surprised her by eagerly helping her organize a stack of magnetic phonics tiles.
“He helped me and I really appreciated it. And even though it was a small moment, that one moment stayed with me,” she said. “Here was a student who sometimes needed extra support himself, but he recognized immediately an opportunity to offer support to someone else…. A difficult moment does not define a child, nor does it erase their capacity for kindness, initiative, and meaningful connections. After all, a child is not just their test score or their behaviors or a skill they have not yet mastered. Each child comes into the classroom with their own interests, relationships, and strengths.”
Current Sherman Scholar August Blake shared the story of how his doorway to becoming an educator was first opened by another Sherman Scholar.
He was new to his high school—a sophomore learning to fit in among crowds of kids who already had friends. In chemistry class, his teacher, Sherman Scholar alumna Christine Winkler ’20, invited each student to create an element of the periodic table to put on the wall, and purposefully pulled his into conversations with classmates—simple, caring acts that made Blake feel welcome and comfortable.
“I would not have chosen to major in STEM or to become an educator if it were not for Ms. Winkler,” said Blake, who in the footsteps of his teacher became a Sherman Scholar himself at UMBC. “By learning from a Sherman Scholar, I built up my confidence, I developed leadership skills and discovered my own love for teaching and a desire to make an impact.”
Blake impressed upon listeners the importance of community and belonging—values every Sherman Scholar takes into the world as they start their careers.
“My current success is a direct result of having an educator with such a passion for her subject, devotion to her students’ academic and personal growth and her exceptional ability to inspire,” he said. “This is the magic of the Sherman Scholar alums. It is recognizing the potential in your students, adjusting the learning environment to meet them where they are and empowering their voices through building community in the classroom. It is understanding that true learning begins with belonging.”
Speaking directly to the teachers—and teachers in training—in the room, Betsy Sherman expressed pride in all they have accomplished, both as individuals and as a collective presence in Baltimore.
“You may never know what your one gesture at that one moment in time meant for that one child, you may never, never know what it did, but trust me when I tell you, it all makes a difference,” she said.
