Portland State University College of Education

Advocating for the future of public education. 🍎✨

The PSU College of Education and School of Social Work recently joined U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici for a crucial roundtable on incoming federal changes to student loan programs—and what reduced borrowing limits mean for PSU students and families.

We were so proud to see PSU alumnus Adolfo Garza-Cano at the table!

As a bilingual K-2 educator in Portland Public Schools and a National Education Association Director for the Oregon Education Association, Adolfo continues to be a relentless voice for equity, social justice, and underrepresented communities in education.

This is what the joy of reading looks like! 📚✨

This summer, special education teacher candidates and faculty have partnered with the Tigard-Tualatin School District at James Templeton Elementary for an innovative literacy practicum.

The three-week tutoring program provides elementary students who need extra reading support with targeted, evidence-based instruction. At the same time, future educators like PSU senior Bethany Datria get daily feedback to refine their teaching techniques—ensuring they are well prepared when they step into classrooms as student teachers this fall.

"I relate to these kids a lot," said Datria, a former paraeducator who plans to focus on inclusive literacy support. "This sort of thing is really my bread and butter."

Hands-on programs like this deliver vital support to local families, but cuts to state and federal funding mean fewer children could participate this year. Continued funding is critical to keeping these community partnerships thriving.

Interested in shaping the future of education? Explore teacher pathways at PSU: pdx.edu/education

Showing up with Pride! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The College of Education crew had a blast marching with in the Pride parade on Sunday to celebrate love, inclusion, and our vibrant LGBTQIA2S+ community. What an amazing day celebrating together!

Can't wait to see you next year! 💗✨

📸: Chad Lanning

Another look at our Orientation and Mobility graduate students during their morning at PDX! ✈️🕶️

These future O&M specialists went through a full TSA security screening with the assistance of TSA Cares, tested out wayfinding apps in the terminal and learned about airport accessibility initiatives firsthand.

Mica Alexander (photo #4), a high school special education teacher in Montana, shared that she usually has high anxiety around travel—so putting on a blindfold brought extra nerves at first. But the experience quickly changed her perspective:

"I discovered there's more help than I thought there would be," she said. "And it's okay to ask for help."

Mica was particularly excited to learn about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard program, which discreetly signals to airport staff that a traveler may need extra time or assistance. 🌻

Thank you to the Port of Portland and the TSA Cares team. This visit represents a continued partnership that PDX has with the Disability community to create inclusive spaces, and allowed our students to step into the shoes of travelers who are blind or low-vision so they can better guide and support them in the future.

🔗 Link in comments to read the full Oregonian feature!

Hey, Viks! 🚨 World-renowned author, advocate and professor Dr. Temple Grandin is coming to Portland State!

Join us for "Autism: The Way I See It" — an evening dedicated to understanding neurodiversity, practical support strategies and navigating real-world challenges.

Whether you’re a student, educator, future therapist or caregiver, you could benefit from Dr. Grandin's unique insights on visual thinking, career paths in the age of AI and overcoming anxiety.

🎟️ PSU DISCOUNT:
PSU students and employees $15 (regular price $65)!

🗓 Friday, Aug. 14 | Doors @ 5:30 PM
📍 SMSU Ballroom

🔗 Link in comments to grab your discount $15 ticket before they sell out!

Navigating PDX airport... completely blindfolded? ✈️🕶️

The Oregonian joined our Orientation & Mobility students this week to see their intensive cane class in action. By learning to rely on all of their senses, these future specialists are preparing to help travelers with low vision navigate the world.

An extra special feature for Disability Pride Month! 🤟

Thank you to the Port of Portland and TSA Cares for hosting us! Community partnerships like this are vital to our students' education. 🤝

PSU students navigate Portland airport blindfolded to understand traveling while visually impaired The Orientation and Mobility program at Portland State University i...

Big ups to Leticia Aguilar Salinas! 🙌 Leticia is the only Portland State University student — and one of just four selected statewide — to receive a Margaret Nielsen Award from the Beta Beta Chapter of DKG Oregon State.

She will receive a $6,000 scholarship to support her journey toward becoming a licensed teacher! As a first-generation, Indigenous Mexican-American, Portland native and local paraeducator, Leticia is already making a difference in the community. We are so lucky to have her in our Bilingual Teacher Pathway program here at the College of Ed.

"I am living proof that students from my background can succeed, and I am committed to walking alongside them to get them there," Leticia said. 💚

Congrats, Leticia! You are an inspiration! Read Leticia's story: https://www.pdx.edu/education/news/psu-bilingual-teacher-pathway-student-wins-margaret-nielsen-award

Future teachers in the making! 🍎

We had a blast this morning welcoming incoming undergrads to the College of Education during their PSU orientation. These students are interested in becoming teachers, so they joined us to learn more about our teacher preparation programs and the steps to getting licensed in Oregon.

During the session, everyone got to team up for a quick placemaking activity: designing their ideal classroom using Legos. 🧱🏫

We’re so glad these future educators are already building their community before day one. Welcome to PSU—we're excited to see you in the fall! 💚

“As a society, our first input is to remove people from the environment and to say, ‘Well, you did this wrong, so therefore we’re going to punish you,’” said Maneka Brooks, dean of the College of Education.

Oregon’s ban on early learning suspensions and expulsions officially went into effect on July 1, forcing a major rethink of that exact impulse. For too long, systemic exclusions have disproportionately impacted Black children and children with disabilities right at the start of their education.

But changing a rule doesn't automatically change a classroom. Early childhood providers need real support and funding to make this shift work, not just new mandates.

That’s why programs like our Infant/Toddler Mental Health graduate certificate (ITMH) are so critical. ITMH focuses on giving educators the clinical tools to meet children’s needs inside the room rather than removing them from it.

Read the full Willamette Week article featuring insights from Dean Brooks and alumna Melissa Williams at the link in our bio. 🔗

🔗 Read the full story: https://www.wweek.com/news/2026/06/24/an-impending-state-prohibition-of-suspensions-and-expulsions-worries-some-early-child-care-providers/

🔗 Learn about our Early Childhood Education programs: https://www.pdx.edu/education/become-a-teacher/early-childhood-programs

Summer is heating up, and so are weekend plans! 🔥 Can you believe it's already JULY?!

Let’s make the most of the season, and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community together. Join COE faculty/staff, students and alumni — and the broader PSU community — for the Portland Pride Parade on Sunday, July 19! 🌈✨

If you’ve never marched with PSU before, it is a total blast. Friends and family are absolutely welcome to join the fun too!

The Lineup:
🍩 10 AM: Pre-game with donuts, bubbles, live DJ, and a glitter glam station.
🚶‍♂️ 11 AM: Parade kicks off from the North Park Blocks!

Register now (get a complimentary 👚 PSU T-shirt):
https://www.pdx.edu/alumni/pride-parade

Grab your walking shoes and we'll see you there! 🏳️‍🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ 💚