About This Episode

Season 1. Episode 1.

Dive into the first episode of Achieving the Vision, where we shed light on a critical and often overlooked aspect of education: the need for men of color in K-12 classrooms. In this episode, we delve into the transformative initiatives spearheaded by the Rialto Unified School District, aiming to not only recruit but also retain men of color as educators within the K-12 setting.

Our spotlight turns towards the groundbreaking collaboration between the Rialto Unified School District and California State University, San Bernardino – an alliance known as Project Impact. Through Project Impact, the educational landscape is being reshaped as proactive steps are taken to address the underrepresentation of men of color in the teaching profession.

Featured prominently in this episode are two influential voices championing this cause: Dr. Rhea McIver Gibbs and Jacobo Lopez. Dr. Gibbs, an esteemed figure in education, provides expert insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with diversifying the teaching workforce. Jacobo Lopez, a key player in Project Impact, shares firsthand experiences and anecdotes that underscore the positive impact of this collaborative effort on both educators and students.

Join us on a journey to understand the nuances of this vital issue and witness the tangible strides being made by the Rialto Unified School District in fostering a more inclusive and representative educational environment. This episode serves as a testament to the power of partnerships, educational reform, and the commitment to ensuring that every student sees themselves reflected in the faces of their educators.

Featured Guests

Dr. Rhea McIver Gibbs
Lead Strategic Agent (Deputy Superintendent) Rialto Unified School District
Biography
Native of San Bernardino and former Rialto Unified School District student
An employee in the Rialto District for 30 years and 33 years in education as a former teacher, program specialist, assistant principal, principal, Lead Personnel Agent
Dr. Gibbs is the coordinator of Rialto Project Impact.
Jacobo López

MacArthur Foundation Chair and Professor of Sociology, University of California, Santa Barbara

Biography

Jacobo López is currently a Resident Substitute Teacher at Trapp Elementary School in the Rialto Unified School District. Jacobo was born and raised here in the Inland Empire. After graduating from Colton High School, Jacobo went on to attend and graduate from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. Jacobo spent a decade in the entertainment industry before switching to a career in Education. In 2021, he began substitute teaching full-time and was in the middle of a long-term assignment when DrRhea McIver Gibbs approached him about Project Impact. Currently, Jacobo is a graduate student at Cal State San Bernardino, seeking a Multiple-Subject Teaching Credential.

Watch the Interview 

View our podcast page for more stories like this: https://inlandempiregia.org/gia-podcasts/

Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) created the Achieving the Vision video series to discuss important projects and initiatives that are driving regional educational transformation and student success in the Inland Empire region of Southern California–the 12th largest MSA in the U.S. with over 4.7 million residents and over one-million K-16 students. Learn more at https://inlandempiregia.org.

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