SLU Welcomes New Cohort of STL Teaching Fellows
07/29/2025
The School of Education at Saint Louis University proudly welcomed the sixth cohort of STL Teaching Fellows this summer, marking a continued commitment to developing equity-minded educators who serve in high-need schools across the St. Louis region. The new cohort was honored as part of the annual Summer Celebration and Induction Ceremony, which also featured the second annual Educating Educators Showcase, a vibrant and creative tribute to the teacher preparation journey.
Founded in 2020, the STL Teaching Fellows program is an innovative two-year Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) pathway that combines full-time teaching in urban schools with evening coursework, mentorship and state certification through Missouri’s alternative route. The program was designed to diversify the teacher workforce and address persistent shortages in subjects like math and science. More than half of the STL Teaching Fellows identify as people of color, and the majority are career-changers entering the profession with a deep commitment to educational justice.
A Legacy of Teaching Fellows
This year’s induction was especially meaningful as the program welcomed its first legacy participant: Gabrielle Haynes-Levett, a member of Cohort 6, whose mother, Evelyn Haynes-Levett, was part of the inaugural cohort in 2020. The two educators were celebrated together at the showcase, symbolizing the impact and reach of the STL Teaching Fellows community across generations.
Celebrating Creativity and Purpose
Held on July 15, 2025, the Educating Educators Showcase was a highlight of the induction week for Cohort 6. Fellows, alumni, and program staff shared original works of art, poetry, fiber crafts and multimedia pieces that explored the year’s theme: Educating Educators. Their contributions illuminated the personal, cultural, and professional dimensions of becoming a teacher, from the challenges of certification exams to the joys of classroom connection.
Gabrielle Haynes-Levett’s piece, "My Classroom: An Infinite Garden," captured the vibrancy of student growth through a textured, mixed-media composition that echoed the values that both she and her mother bring to the profession. "Loose Leaf," a woven tapestry by Anjelikka Hopkins, reflected the transformation from student to teacher through the lens of her own neurodivergence. Designed to mimic notebook paper pulled from a messy backpack—complete with a bent spiral, small mistakes, and iron-on appliqué—the piece conveyed how educators can reframe perceived imperfections as sources of strength. These works, alongside dozens of others, were displayed in a gallery format, inviting attendees to reflect on the future of teacher preparation.
Juried selections were announced by featured guest Quahana Hendree, Th.D., a renowned art consultant and theologian whose work bridges creativity and social impact.
“This showcase is a profound reminder that teaching is both an intellectual and deeply human endeavor,” Hendree shared.
Strengthening the Pipeline
Now in its sixth year, the STL Teaching Fellows program has recruited 93 students, with a graduation rate of 82% and a current retention rate of 92% across Cohorts 5 and 6. Fellows benefit from robust academic and wraparound supports, including university supervision, school-based mentoring, and targeted test preparation. Many receive full-tuition scholarships or employer-based tuition reimbursement.
“STL Teaching Fellows are changing the narrative of who teaches and how,” said Karissa Sywulka Mitchell, program director. “Our fellows are artists, advocates, and innovators, and they’re bringing that creativity into classrooms where it’s needed most.”
To learn more about the STL Teaching Fellows program, visit the program's web page or follow @STLTeachingFellows on Instagram.