225: Two Programs with Fresh Solutions to the Teacher Shortage
Apr 2, 2024
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Educator Kimberly Eckert discusses innovative solutions to the teacher shortage problem, including job-embedded degrees at Reach University and programs like Educators Rising. They explore grassroots initiatives, curriculum pathways, and tailored training for aspiring educators. The episode highlights efforts to support diverse backgrounds and promote collaborative approaches in education.
Innovative pathways like Oxford Teachers College offer job-embedded degrees to address teacher shortage.
Educators Rising provides affordable training options for school employees to become certified teachers.
Success stories from programs like Reach University highlight positive outcomes for aspiring teachers.
Deep dives
Importance of Addressing the Teacher Shortage
The podcast discusses the ongoing teacher shortage and the challenges faced by many states due to high teacher turnovers and vacancies. It emphasizes the importance of exploring and implementing innovative solutions to address this critical issue.
Innovative Pathways for Training Teachers
The episode highlights two programs, Reach University's Oxford Teachers College and Educators Rising, as innovative solutions to address the teacher shortage. These programs offer affordable and practical pathways for training teachers, particularly targeting school employees like paraprofessionals and teaching assistants.
Empowering Current School Staff to Become Certified Teachers
Kimberly Eckert, the podcast guest, discusses the mission of the Oxford Teachers College at Reach University, focusing on offering job-embedded undergraduate degrees and teacher preparation programs for current school employees. These programs aim to empower individuals who already work in schools to obtain certification and become certified teachers.
Success Stories of Transitional Programs
The episode shares success stories of individuals transitioning to teaching through programs like Oxford Teachers College and Educators Rising. These stories highlight the impact of providing accessible and affordable pathways for aspiring teachers, resulting in positive outcomes for both the educators and the communities they serve.
Promoting Inclusive Teacher Training Approaches
The podcast underscores the importance of reimagining teacher training approaches to increase accessibility and inclusivity in the education field. By reducing barriers to entry, fostering diversity, and celebrating the service of teachers, these innovative programs are reshaping the landscape of teacher preparation and recruitment.
Many states are seeing record high numbers of teacher turnovers and vacancies. While the problems that caused this shortage have not gone away, there are groups of people who are coming up with some creative ways to address this situation, new and surprisingly affordable pathways for training good, enthusiastic teachers. Two of these programs are Oxford Teachers College at Reach University and Educators Rising. In this episode, educator Kimberly Eckert talks with me about how and why both of these outstanding programs work.
To read a full transcript of our conversation and find links to all the resources mentioned in this episode, visit cultofpedagogy.com/teacher-shortage.
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