By Zoe Lance
According to the California Teaching Association, the state is going to need to replace more than 106,000 teachers over the next decade just to maintain its current staffing levels.
It will be more important than ever for universities to respond to the needs of local school districts and to help more potential teachers discover the career path and flourish in the classroom 鈥� especially those who are interested in Kindergarten through 12th grade and those pursuing science, mathematics, special education and bilingual education credentials.
海角社区CI鈥檚 School of Education is already hard at work tightening this pipeline in partnership with the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). Ventura County is home to 20 school districts with 210 schools and many 海角社区CI School of Education alumni often end up teaching in the districts they鈥檝e grown up in.
To help its students graduate career-ready, 海角社区CI is developing a four-year program that allows a student to receive both a bachelor鈥檚 degree and credential in four years instead of five 鈥� an approach that more universities across the state are taking to combat the shortage. A $250,000 grant from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing has made this possible for 海角社区CI.
Bob Bleicher, program chair and Professor of Education, secured the grant that could enable the campus to triple the number of new teachers graduating each year with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), special education and bilingual credentials. The first cohort of this integrated program will begin in fall 2018.
Our students go to the University, and in turn they become the teachers for the next generation.
聽Stan Mantooth
In the everyday life of the School of Education, this grant will enhance student experience. Brian Sevier, who joined 海角社区CI鈥檚 School of Education as Dean in August, says that this integrated credential aspect of the program will put 海角社区CI alumni ahead of the curve. At the same time, they are learning theories at the University, that the students will be putting it into practice in their clinical experiences. Having a specialized credential also will help them fill the gaps in teaching needs.
鈥淗aving to finish a bachelor鈥檚 degree and then come back for an additional year can be a burden,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his is a game changer.鈥�
For VCOE Superintendent Stan Mantooth, an infusion of 海角社区CI students into the local teacher workforce is a full circle.
鈥淓ver since 海角社区CI opened, we developed a very close relationship,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur students go to the University, and in turn they become the teachers for the next generation. This will certainly help more of our young people consider teaching as a career.鈥�
This also directly relates to the efforts of the Ventura County P-20 Council. Mantooth, 海角社区CI President Erika Beck and other leaders in education, business and community agencies work together to support the academic preparation and success of students in the region.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very pleased with the strength of our partnership with 海角社区CI, and being in education, we鈥檙e both in the business of the future,鈥� Mantooth said. 鈥淲ithout the teaching profession, there wouldn鈥檛 be any other professions. It鈥檚 critical that we connect to students so that we have an adequate workforce and keep things evolving.鈥�
In looking ahead, Sevier is very optimistic about 海角社区CI鈥檚 role in shaping Ventura County teachers.
鈥淥ur long-term goal is to tell the story of the School of Education, and to tap into the natural pipeline of people who want to stay and teach in their community because they believe in their community,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his University was formed in response to a community need, and we need to continually check in on that need. We are the pathway.鈥�