Take a bow: SDSU’s innovative and collaborative approach to preparing arts educators gets its flowers
Arts Schools Network honors College of Education and PSFA leaders for their work to reimagine teacher education alongside school district partners.
In spring 2026, the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SDCPA) raised the curtain on a dance showcase at its Paradise Hills campus. In the auditorium that day were not just family and friends of the performers, but a contingent of administrators from San Diego State University.
At the event, the guests were delighted to watch a show-stopping African hip hop dance performance choreographed by then-SDSU teaching credential candidate Devin Hargrett, who has since been hired as a dance teacher at Bell Middle School.
For Lynne Bercaw, director of SDSU’s School of Teacher Education and an attendee that night, the special moment underscores the deepening partnership between local school districts and the university’s future educator pipeline.
“If our partnerships weren't there, I wouldn’t know about SDCPA and all the amazing things they do,” Bercaw said. “But because of our collaboration, we know the school, we know our candidate and we get to be present and a part of moments like that.”
SDSU’s collaborative approach has caught the eye of the Arts Schools Network, a national nonprofit organization that empowers arts leaders and educators.
Four university administrators — Deans Y. Barry Chung (College of Education) and Janis McKay (College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts); Sarah Garrity, senior associate dean of the College of Education; and Bercaw — have been named recipients of the Arts Schools Network Higher Education Award.
“SDSU has created a model that prepares both outstanding arts educators and creative professionals while expanding access to high-quality arts learning,” said Nicole Michel, managing director of Arts Schools Network. “The university's collaborative approach, long-term investment in workforce development and dedication to educational excellence make it a national example of how higher education can advance and sustain arts education for future generations.”
The honor will be conferred in October at ASN's 2026 conference in San Diego.
“The arts provide meaningful opportunities for students to explore, express themselves and thrive,” Garrity said. “Receiving this recognition is exciting and inspiring, and reinforces the importance of keeping students and their creative potential at the center of all we do.”
Tremendous shift
Over the past few years, the College of Education and PSFA have broken out of their silos to jointly create credential programs in theatre, dance, music and fine art. The result is a strong pipeline for students to move seamlessly from fine arts majors into credential programs.
“I can attest to the extraordinary passion and commitment our Music Education faculty bring to their work each day,” McKay said. “The program they have helped to shape plays a vital role in strengthening music education throughout San Diego County.”
SDSU faculty have extended that spirit of cooperation outside the community through shared governance, a strategy the university has developed alongside school district partners to align goals, processes and partnerships around areas of mutual interest. What has emerged in a new teacher preparation model grounded in coaching, mentorship and shared expectations.
The university’s deep ties with San Diego Unified and SDCPA is the result of years of dialogue with school leaders, including Principal Timothy Farson, himself an SDSU alumnus ('09).
“I feel like it's been a tremendous shift,” Farson said. “San Diego State wants to produce great, employable candidates. And as the principal, I want great teacher candidates that can jump right in and be a part of what we're about. That shared interest is the basis of our partnership.”
Not coincidentally, he added, he sees schools throughout the district are hiring more SDSU credential candidates than ever before.
Credential Program Coordinator Elizabeth Buffington, who has spearheaded the development of SDSU's arts educator pathways, adds the work has come at a critical time. Indeed, aspiring arts teachers have never been more employable. In 2022, California voters passed Proposition 28, which has funded the hiring of thousands of arts educators.
But SDSU seized the opportunity in a big way.
“There was some lucky timing,” Buffington said. “Prop 28 passing really allowed us to lock in on offering credentials in the arts. But because of Lynne, Barry, Sarah, and Janice's commitment to dropping as many barriers as possible, we've been able to build this amazing and innovative partnership — one that now the nation wants to see and learn from.”
