Take a bow: 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 innovative and collaborative approach to preparing arts educators gets its flowers
Arts Schools Network honors College of Education and PSFA leaders for their work to reimagine teacher education alongside school district partners.
In spring 2026, the San Diego (SDCPA) raised the curtain on a dance showcase at its Paradise Hills campus. In the auditorium that day were not just family and friends of the performers, but a contingent of administrators from 麻豆传媒映画.
At the event, the guests were delighted to watch a show-stopping African hip hop dance performance choreographed by then-麻豆传媒映画 teaching credential candidate Devin Hargrett, who has since been hired as a dance teacher at Bell Middle School.
For Lynne Bercaw, director of 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 and an attendee that night, the special moment underscores the deepening partnership between local school districts and the university鈥檚 future educator pipeline.
鈥淚f our partnerships weren't there, I wouldn鈥檛 know about SDCPA and all the amazing things they do,鈥� Bercaw said. 鈥淏ut because of our collaboration, we know the school, we know our candidate and we get to be present and a part of moments like that.鈥�
麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 collaborative approach has caught the eye of the , a national nonprofit organization that empowers arts leaders and educators.
Four university administrators 鈥� Deans Y. Barry Chung () and Janis McKay (); Sarah Garrity, senior associate dean of the College of Education; and Bercaw 鈥� have been named recipients of the Arts Schools Network Higher Education Award.
鈥溌槎勾接郴� has created a model that prepares both outstanding arts educators and creative professionals while expanding access to high-quality arts learning,鈥� said Nicole Michel, managing director of Arts Schools Network. 鈥淭he university's collaborative approach, long-term investment in workforce development and dedication to educational excellence make it a national example of how higher education can advance and sustain arts education for future generations.鈥�
The honor will be conferred in October at ASN's 2026 conference in San Diego.
鈥淭he arts provide meaningful opportunities for students to explore, express themselves and thrive,鈥� Garrity said. 鈥淩eceiving this recognition is exciting and inspiring, and reinforces the importance of keeping students and their creative potential at the center of all we do.鈥�
Tremendous shift
Over the past few years, the College of Education and PSFA have broken out of their silos to jointly create credential programs in theatre, dance, music and fine art. The result is a strong pipeline for students to move seamlessly from fine arts majors into credential programs.
鈥淚 can attest to the extraordinary passion and commitment our Music Education faculty bring to their work each day,鈥� McKay said. 鈥淭he program they have helped to shape plays a vital role in strengthening music education throughout San Diego County.鈥�
麻豆传媒映画 faculty have extended that spirit of cooperation outside the community through shared governance, a strategy the university has developed alongside school district partners to align goals, processes and partnerships around areas of mutual interest. What has emerged in a new teacher preparation model grounded in coaching, mentorship and shared expectations.
The university鈥檚 deep ties with San Diego Unified and SDCPA is the result of years of dialogue with school leaders, including Principal Timothy Farson, himself an 麻豆传媒映画 alumnus ('09).
鈥淚 feel like it's been a tremendous shift,鈥� Farson said. 鈥淪an Diego State wants to produce great, employable candidates. And as the principal, I want great teacher candidates that can jump right in and be a part of what we're about. That shared interest is the basis of our partnership.鈥�
Not coincidentally, he added, he sees schools throughout the district are hiring more 麻豆传媒映画 credential candidates than ever before.
Credential Program Coordinator Elizabeth Buffington, who has spearheaded the development of 麻豆传媒映画's arts educator pathways, adds the work has come at a critical time. Indeed, aspiring arts teachers have never been more employable. In 2022, California voters passed Proposition 28, which has funded the hiring of thousands of arts educators.
But 麻豆传媒映画 seized the opportunity in a big way.
鈥淭here was some lucky timing,鈥� Buffington said. 鈥淧rop 28 passing really allowed us to lock in on offering credentials in the arts. But because of Lynne, Barry, Sarah, and Janice's commitment to dropping as many barriers as possible, we've been able to build this amazing and innovative partnership 鈥� one that now the nation wants to see and learn from.鈥�
