Education Students Participate in Panel at North Penn High School
Gwynedd Mercy University Education students Camea Cobb '27, Nia Murray '27, and Toni Robinson '26 participated in a panel discussion at North Penn High School (NPHS) focused on the importance of cultural diversity in education, the need for more Black and Brown teachers, and the importance of pursuing college education.
The panel also included North Penn School District Assistant Superintendent Dr. D’Ana Waters, North Penn School District Director of Human Resources Dr. J. Mia Kim, Principal of Pennbrook Middle School Dr. Nick Taylor, and NPHS Transition Coordinator Dr. Janell Shelly. GMercyU students were invited to participate in the panel as a result of numerous networking opportunities with North Penn School District.
"I personally know Dr. Waters and she specifically wanted strong Black and Brown speakers so the students could 'see a mirror, reflect, and be a window,' meaning they could see themselves represented, recognize their own potential, and also gain a broader view of the world," Toni said. "She knew my colleagues and I were strong speakers and believed the students would connect with us more because we’re closer in age than most of their teachers. She really wanted us to inspire them in a way that felt authentic and relatable."
The panel started off by asking for NPHS students to reflect on the number of teachers of color they had throughout their education, and panelists shared the importance of having diverse educators and the direct impact it has on students. GMercyU students were then asked to share their experience as an Education major and share advice for students interested in pursuing the major. NPHS students were also invited to ask questions related to college, majoring in education, and other related topics.
"What really sets GMercyU apart is our TAP program. It gives students early, hands-on classroom experience that helps them understand what teaching looks and feels like in the real world. This is incredibly valuable because it allows you to see whether education is truly the right path for you before student teaching," Camea said.
"That level of early exposure is rare, and it’s one of the reasons our program is so impactful and unique. GMercyU doesn’t just want you to get through the program; they want you to thrive and grow into an educator who makes a difference."
In addition to theTeacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP), Nia emphasized the all-around support GMercyU students receive to meet their goals.
"The university is truly committed to student success. We have access to free tutoring for our Praxis and PECT exams, free printing, and many other valuable resources,” Nia sai. “Our small, close-knit campus allows for individualized support and a genuine sense of community—something that is often lost at larger universities.”
Toni and Nia, alumni of Wissahickon High School, received a full scholarship to attend GMercyU to major in Education with the plan to return to Wissahickon School District upon graduation to serve as teachers. The Wissahickon and Gwynedd Mercy University Opportunity Scholarship's primary goal is to increase the diversity of Wissahickon's teaching staff so it becomes more representative of their student population. Research has proven that students learn best when they have the opportunity to do so from teachers whose life experience reflects their own.
"My biggest piece of advice was that students need to really know themselves before becoming educators. They should understand their strengths and weaknesses and learn how to build on them. I also emphasized that it truly takes a village, especially for Black and Brown educators," Toni said. "There are a lot of stigmas and statistics stacked against us, so finding community, asking for help, and accepting support is essential."