Beatriz Arias, Faculty Lead ALPHA Partnership

Beatriz Arias
Office: Farmer Ed, 342D
Phone: 480-965-6895
Email: click here

Professor Arias is an Associate Professor in the Division of Curriculum and Instruction in the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education.  Her research and scholarship focus on improving educational opportunity for Latino students with a focus on English Language Learners. Recently, Dr. Arias has been documenting how higher education resources can support novice teachers working in high needs districts with high needs students. As part of this effort, Dr. Arias is the faculty coordinator for the ALPHA project of the Vice President’s Office of Education Partnership. In this capacity, Dr. Arias coordinates projects focusing on teacher preparation and induction in the eight ALPHA partnership districts: Cartwright Elementary, Fowler Elementary, Isaac Elementary, Murphy Elementary, Phoenix Elementary, Tolleson Elementary, Phoenix Union and Tolleson Union High School districts.

Beatriz sees her work as bridging the gap between the University and the local classroom. She is working within the College of Education to identify appropriate placements for student teachers, linking students with mentors in the ALPHA districts. She has implemented an induction program in Phoenix Elementary which prepares both mentors and mentees, and has worked with teachers to coordinate an English Language Learner (ELL) Teacher Summit. Most importantly, working with the Vice-President’s Office has given Dr. Arias an opportunity to facilitate scholarships for student teachers interested in becoming urban educators.