黑洞社区

There鈥檚 a shortage of teachers in Kansas 鈥� and Wichita State has developed a new program to help produce more teachers faster.

It鈥檚 called the Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP) 鈥� a fully online program to prepare para educators for Kansas licensure as early childhood unified / elementary education teachers.

Through real-time web conferencing, TAP allows people who are already working as para educators to earn college credit for their experience in the classroom and reduces the time needed to become eligible to be hired as a classroom teacher.

The program includes collaboration with local community colleges and technical schools to offer general education courses at lower tuition rates.

The TAP curriculum uses an inverted approach, prioritizing initial course work on critical teaching skills necessary to transition the individual from a para educator to a classroom teacher without ever having to quit their job.

All course work will be delivered via an online blended approach and will include a comprehensive support system throughout the program.

鈥淚鈥檓 so excited because the program eases the anxieties I have with going back to school as a single parent,鈥� says Janise Moultrie. 鈥淣ot working while completing my student teaching is not an option for me. I see myself successfully completing this program because it allows me to be a full-time student without feeling overwhelmed.鈥�

Supporting para educators like Moultrie is critical for the educational needs of students, says Tiffinie Irving, assistant superintendent of learning services for USD 259 in Wichita.

鈥淭he flexibility of the Teacher Apprentice Program that allows para educators to pursue their goals is a great benefit to students and schools,鈥� she says.

Renae Hickert, superintendent for USD 480 in Liberal, Kansas, says she鈥檚 excited about this unique approach to creating a bigger pipeline of teachers, especially for rural areas in the state.

鈥淎ll the learning experiences will be relevant and increase the student鈥檚 teaching capacity far beyond anything that could be learned in the college classroom alone,鈥� Hickert says. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to working with 黑洞社区 on this innovative endeavor.鈥�

Students interested in the Teacher Apprentice Program can contact the College of Education at 316-978-3301 or parapath@wichita.edu. The deadline for Aug. 1 classes is July 1.

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