In one of the poorest school districts in America, Briana Morales '17 uses her SAU teaching degree to model a future that's within reach for her students in East St. Louis, Illinois.
As a recipient of the St. Çï¿ûÊÓƵ Freeman Pollard Minority Scholarship that helped Morales earn her degree, she will share her appreciation and discuss the valuable scholarship program at the annual Freeman Pollard Minority Fundraising Breakfast March 26. Attendees will first enjoy breakfast together at 7:30 a.m. and then hear from Morales around 8 a.m. as the Keynote Speaker.
The annual breakfast returns this year after a two-year absence. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event's postponement in spring 2020; a virtual gathering was held last year.
Ryan Saddler '95, '06 MEdT, the University's Associate Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, said Morales is a tremendous example of embracing an opportunity and paying it forward.
"Briana's passion for her work with severely underserved minority students in East St. Louis is a testament to her heart," Saddler said. "She is a living example of God's love and of Ambrosian lessons in action."
Morales has taught English in East St. Louis School District 189 since 2018. She currently teaches 11th and 12th grade English in the Gordon Bush Alternative Center, a pilot school for competency-based education.
Morales' work is challenging but rewarding. "All kids want to feel as if they are seen and heard and that they belong," she said. "And as a teacher, you have a huge opportunity to do that, to be what they need. That is what St. Ambrose taught me."
The hard-working student from Hoffman Estates, Illinois, completed her Master of Education from the American College of Education in 2020 and currently is working toward a Doctor of Education in Policy, Organization, and Leadership from the University of Illinois.
Her doctoral studies – and her passion – are squarely focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in school rooms across the country. This year, for example, she also is serving as a Senior Policy Fellow with .
"Last year, I was nominated as Teach Plus Policy Fellow of the year and created a diversity, equity, and inclusion professional development provider evaluation tool for school districts in Illinois to make the biggest anti-racist and anti-biased impact," she said. "This year, my working group advocated for funding for training around culturally-responsive teaching.
"This research will conclude with a statewide report with policy recommendations for colleges and universities to better prepare teachers to give future students more equitable and culturally-sustaining experiences in schools."
Ultimately, Morales said, "My goal is to open a residential community school where students can live, learn, and receive wrap-around services that meet their needs in ways that traditional public schools cannot."
Morales' keynote address will follow presentations by SAU students and alumni who will discuss the impact of the Freeman Pollard Minority Scholarship on their student experience.
Since 1988, the Freeman Pollard Minority Scholarship has helped more than 1,000 Ambrosians achieve their dream of a college education.
The annual breakfast brings together students and their benefactors and helps the SAU Diversity Work Group continue to push toward its goal of fully endowing the scholarship.
The breakfast and the scholarship fund honors Freeman Pollard, PhD, a St. Ambrose Professor Emeritus of Political Science who was the university's first African-American professor.