CLEVELAND — Even as schools wind down for the year, many across Northeast Ohio are still struggling to get teachers in the classroom.
Districts are already looking for qualified teachers before they start up again this coming fall – and one local program is hoping to entice people from other career paths to make the switch to teaching.
“I got into teaching because I didn’t feel represented in the classroom,” says Andrese Howard. “I didn't feel like my voice was heard.”
Howard, who is now a science and health teacher at Lincoln West, grew up in Detroit with mostly Black teachers in the classroom. But in urban districts in Northeast Ohio, she says she doesn’t see a lot of diversity.
“I think diversity is really helpful because if you look at what's happening in the country, we have an influx of refugees coming, we have a lot of immigrants and then students who ethnically are just different,” Howard says.
So, she’s one of many who stood up to encourage people of all backgrounds and career paths to considering making the switch to teaching. One way to do that is with the program developed by the National Teachers College.
“We're going to do that by running a very distinctive teacher resident program,” explains President Denise Davis. “It's focused on urban teaching, so our curriculum is tailored to address the demographics and needs of urban children and urban teaching.”
Davis describes this program as a reimagined way to fast-track those who want to go into teaching.
National Teachers College students spend a full year in the classroom getting a hands-on experience. Partnered with the Generational School, they receive 45 graduate credits in 12 months, leave the program with a Masters MEd degree and an Ohio teaching license.
Most importantly, educators like Howard say this program will ignite the passion for teaching for so many people who have considered making an impact in the classroom.
“I think that they're going to get a beautiful experience and education where it's about joy and dreams and escapism of life, and let them know that learning isn't about reading and math, but it's about being innovative and they get to learn how to take ownership in their curriculum so that students can take ownership in their learning.”
If you’re interested in the National Teachers College program CLICK HERE.
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on April 26, 2023.