The College of Education at TCU is set to host the inaugural Maestro Conference on Saturday, May 18, at 8 a.m. at the Dee J. Kelly Alumni & Visitors Center. The event aims to support and develop Latinx male educators through an action-packed day comprised of dynamic speakers, professional development sessions, networking and community-building opportunities.
Research shows that Texas faces a drastic shortage of Latinx male classroom teachers. The MAESTRO Program at TCU was launched to reach and recruit more prospective Latinx male teachers for K-12 teaching positions.
The MAESTRO Conference is designed specifically for current and future educators. With an emphasis on building the community of MAESTROs, the inaugural event will offer insights into the importance of Latinx representation in teaching roles and the impact diverse representation has on educational outcomes.
Associate Professor Steve Przymus, one of the event organizers, is energized to engage local attendees as well as those from locations such as Washington, D.C., Mexico City, El Paso and Houston.
“All of these individuals come with distinct expertise and experiences. But all share the singular goal of diversifying the teacher workforce,” shared Przymus.
Dynamic Speakers and Professional Development
The conference will feature a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Antonio
Tijerino, president of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, who will discuss the crucial
role of Latinx males in education. Gilberto Lara, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Texas San Antonio,
David Martínez-Prieto, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande
Valley, José Luis Cano, Ph.D., incoming assistant professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, and Omar Serna, a doctoral
student at TCU, will also share their expertise on language, transnationalism, identity and pedagogy.
Empowering the Next Generation
Current and future educators will also have the opportunity to network, engage and
explore pathways to advanced degrees in education.
Registration for the Maestro Conference is free with breakfast and lunch provided
thanks to a generous grant from the Fort Worth Education Partnership, along with support from Fort Worth Independent School District, the Hispanic Heritage
Foundation, Tarrant County College, Tarrant To & Through Partnership, and TCU entities
including the College of Education, TRiO Programs, Center for Public Education & Community
Engagement, Office of Admissions, and College Advising Corps.
This collaboration underscores a community-wide commitment to advancing educational
opportunities, promising to be an enriching experience filled with actionable insights
to make an impact.
