Dr. Jean Strait
Director of the Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching
Director
Dr. Jean Strait brings a wealth of first-hand experience in
the classroom—having taught reading, literacy, and educational psychology in
higher education for the past 20 years. She has also developed and led urban
teacher programs with service-learning components at two-year and four-year
colleges throughout the Twin Cities. In addition, Dr. Strait has created
programs to train adults in the Dakota Language and has helped refugee teachers
become licensed in Minnesota.
“Literacy is at the heart of all my teaching,” she says.
Robert rivera
Assistant Director of the Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching
Robert is Assistant Director of Hamline University’s Center for
Excellence in Urban Teaching. He works effectively with (CEUT)
partnerships, which include schools/districts, organizations, and the
communities of color that will establish a structure that will create a
critical mass; and will expand to develop programs throughout Minnesota,
resulting in the increase of students of color pursuing careers in
teaching. He coordinates many educational programs like S.O.A.R, Elite
Academy, M.T.L.E prep and Math Masters. Robert has worked in the
Minneapolis schools and Apple Valley before joining C.E.U.T. Robert
also provides parents training on how to be advocates for their
student’s as well as practical strategies to support the children’s
achievements. His background in urban education and classroom management
experience helps him support both tutor and parent mentors. Robert has
received a two year degree in Database management from the Air force
Community College, Bachelors in History and a minor in secondary
education from Augsburg College and is currently working on his master’s
in education at Hamline University. His history as a first generation
urban student in Los Angeles, CA gives him great insight into the plight
of our urban students in the twin cities.
TAMMIE PATE
Program Coordinator of the Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching
Tammie holds a BS in Community Health Education from Georgia
Southern University. She brings a very
diverse professional background to her position at Hamline University. Tammie spent 15 years at Georgia Southern
University with 10 of those working under the Dean in the College of Health and
Human Sciences. In this role, she worked
with all aspects of the administrative duties to include student support,
budget, marketing, classroom management, technology, and event planning. After leaving Georgia Southern in 2005,
Tammie worked in the non-profit sector serving as Executive Director for the
Advocates for Alzheimer’s Care (Georgia) and also as Executive Director for
Communities in Schools of Montgomery County (NC).
Tammie’s background fits very well into the Center for
Excellence in Urban Teaching at Hamline.
Her work within a university setting gives her experience in dealing
with both the student and professional educator. Her experience working in the non-profit
sector with families and students aligns closely to the programs offered by
CEUT. Her role at Communities in Schools
(CIS) is very similar to many of the programs being administered by the Center. Bringing students and families support, along
with educating them in how to navigate the world of education, is a passion for
her.
Tammie grew up in rural Southeastern Kentucky and is a first
generation college graduate. She is
married to John Pate, Hamline’s Head Football Coach, and is an ambassador for
the University in this role. She works
closely with the players and parents to ensure these student athletes have a
home away from home. Tammie is also the
proud parent of three children, Kathleen (24), Thor (21), and Kasey (19). Some of her professional/academic honors include
being named Outstanding Community Health Major at Georgia Southern, serving on
the GSU President’s Staff Advisory Council, and being the recipient of the GSU
Staff Award of Merit.
As part of her duties for CEUT, Tammie coordinated the
2011-12 Math Master’s Program at Leap International School in St. Paul, and the
Outstate Professional Development Series in Minnesota. In 2012-13, Tammie’s duties are expanding to
include CEUT administrative responsibilities and implementing the Tri-state
Professional Development Series for Minnesota, Missouri, and North Dakota. Tammie has also participated or presented in
several national and international professional conferences, to include the
National Dropout Prevention Network, Families in Global Transition, and the
International Center for Service Learning in Teacher Education.