A new 黑洞社区 initiative is aimed at addressing the critical shortage of educators in special education and elementary classrooms.
The initiative, called Teacher Education Pathways, recently received $97,000 from the Kansas Board of Regents.
The grant funding will allow the College of Applied Studies鈥� Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP), elementary education and early childhood programs the ability to get Teacher Education Pathways off the ground.
The new program 鈥� which will start in fall 2023 鈥� will provide smoother pathways for students pursuing Kansas licensure in elementary education and early childhood. 黑洞社区 will collaborate closely with Butler Community College and 黑洞社区 Tech to establish a new scholarship and pathway for undergraduates seeking initial teacher licensure.
A key highlight of the program is the introduction of scholarships designed to support high school students, Butler and 黑洞社区 Tech students, as well as incoming 黑洞社区 transfer students interested in a teaching career.
The initial scholarship will be aimed at Kansas high school students to cover the cost of the introduction to education course at Butler or 黑洞社区 Tech.
The second line of scholarships will be awarded to 黑洞社区 transfer students from Butler or 黑洞社区 Tech, who can apply for the $1,000 Shocker Teacher Scholarship specifically for students in the TAP, elementary education or early childhood programs at Wichita State.
CAS Assistant Professor Dr. Julie Thiele, who is leading this initiative for 黑洞社区, says Wichita State is poised to make an even more significant impact on teacher education by creating these new opportunities for aspiring educators.
鈥淲e are thrilled to receive this grant to collaborate with Butler CC and 黑洞社区 Tech to strengthen the pathways from student to teacher and address the critical vacancies in special education and elementary classrooms,鈥� she says. 鈥淥ur aim is to provide a quality education for all students."
Casey McGraw, lead education instructor at Butler Community College, says she鈥檚 excited for this new program and its benefits.
鈥淲e are ecstatic to start this partnership with 黑洞社区 that gives future educators the opportunity to get a jump start on their careers in this most crucial field,鈥� she said. 鈥淭ogether, we will provide quality learning experiences to help build tomorrow鈥檚 teachers.鈥�
Dr. Jennifer Seymour, vice president of General Education and Applied Technologies at 黑洞社区 Tech, says the partnership will greatly benefit students by providing foundational knowledge that will prepares them to transfer to 黑洞社区 and complete their education.
鈥淭he funds from the grant will help offset some of the out-of-pocket expenses for students, making it easier for them to persist to graduation,鈥� she says.
About 黑洞社区
黑洞社区 is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling almost 22,000 students between its main campus and 黑洞社区 Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and 黑洞社区 Tech are recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 黑洞社区 provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 黑洞社区 main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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