Unless something changes, the K-through-12 teacher shortage will only be getting worse. That’s the message from the people who run UW-Parkside’s teacher education program.
Speaking on Education Matters this past Saturday, Vice-Provost Gary Wood said the numbers aren’t encouraging. Retirements are increasing and the number of high school graduates who are considering teaching as a profession is declining. "This generation of college students--I mean they're extremely practical," Wood said. "If somebody is going to invest time and resources in obtaining a bachelor's degree they really want to know what's going to come from that," Wood continued. "So you've got somebody weighing the time and financial resources that it's going to take to earn a degree and a teaching license against the salary and working conditions that are out there and they're saying no."
Wood--and Nancy Whitaker, chair of Parkside's Institute of Professional Educator Development-- both noted on Saturday's program that becoming a teacher is much more difficult these days, what with new licensure requirements.
Parkside's recently-rejuvenated teacher education program is doing what it can to draw in and train qualified teaching candidates. They've also added programs that are designed to address teaching positions that are particularly hard to fill for the K-through-12's, like special ed and math and science.
Whitaker remains upbeat, noting that two of her children became teachers. "I tried to talk them out of it but they like it," she says. "They're teaching and I can't think of a better way to make a living."
Parkside's teacher education program accepts about 30 new students annually.
For the full Education Matters program, click here.
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