College of Education

One way to maximize current district resources is to offer expedited pathways for teachers to add endorsements in high-demand areas such as math, science, special education, and ESL (English as a Second Language).

We have simplified the steps to add an endorsement to a current teaching license. The goal is to collaborate with our partner districts to identify high need areas in their schools and encourage strong teachers to add endorsements to help meet those needs.

ESL   Middle School Science

Over the past few years, we’ve worked closely with our district partners to foster "Grow Your Own" (GYO) initiatives with a specific focus on early post-secondary opportunities (EPSOs) for high school students interested in teaching such as dual enrollment and dual credit.

The early connections with education coursework are seen as a way for teachers to encourage their best and brightest students to pursue education pathways early in their high school careers, and it’s a way for students to engage and become confident in choosing teaching as a profession.

Teaching as a Profession

We’ve partnered with over 20 schools across the state to visit Teaching as a Profession (TAP) classrooms as well as host those TAP students via campus visits to introduce them to the college classroom experience, campus resources, and help build their knowledge and skills related to state curriculum standards and licensure requirements.

More About the TAP Program

We are initiating a campaign to invite teachers to serve as recruiters for the teaching profession, and we want to help them understand the impact of their positive influence on secondary students.

Middle school and high school teachers spend a significant amount of time with their students, and they are in an ideal position to observe students’ skills and potential to become strong educators.

Additionally, teachers have the opportunity to create a strong, positive narrative around the profession. Through early identification and encouragement, teachers will play a critical role in helping districts grow their own educators and build a robust pool of high-quality teachers.

Teacher assistants include a great pool of teacher potential, including individuals who have expressed interest and demonstrated experience in the profession.

Our plan is to help districts identify teacher assistants who are interested in pursuing initial licensure, then collaborate on financial and educational support to help the teacher assistants reach that goal and ultimately fill unmet needs within their school systems.

Additionally, we’d like to partner with districts to identify employment opportunities for traditional candidates in years three and four of their undergraduate education. These candidates would receive support from both the EPP and the district and transition from non-certified to certified positions upon graduation.