Vol. 19, No. 19

Feb. 10, 2000

$1 million grant supports
teacher recruitment efforts

The Delaware Teacher Recruitment Program, now in its first year, prepares UD students to enter the teaching profession while providing scholarship support and classroom experience. Directed by Barbara Van Dornick, Delaware Center for Teacher Education, and Michael Stokes, arts and science, and coordinated by Sylvia Brooks, Delaware Center for Teacher Education, the three-year program is funded by a grant of $ 1 million from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant was awarded to the College of Human Resources, Education and Public Policy and the College of Arts and Science in partnership with three local school districts–Capital, Christina and Red Clay. Its goal is to improve the quality of the nation’s teaching force and reduce the shortage of teachers in high-need schools from K-12, which are identified by the percentage of students receiving free or reduced cost lunches. The program provides $8,000 scholarship money per student each year for up to 20 students at all levels, and 18 students are enrolled this year. In return, the students agree to remain in Delaware and teach at designated high-need schools for one year for each year of their scholarships. “Not only is the program financially rewarding,” Brooks said, “students participate in an internship in the classroom for 160 hours each year under the direction of an expert teacher. It’s a win-win program where the teachers receive help and the students get hands-on experience in teaching.” The students also must participate in professional development workshops to hone their writing, oral presentation and computer skills and attend seminars sponsored by their schools. Another plus of the program is that the students receive top priority in being hired by the partnering schools, Brooks said. “We were pleased that the University and the state of Delaware were selected as one of 28 schools to receive the grant,” Van Dornick said. “It benefits students and at the same time provides high-need schools with outstanding teachers who have been trained in the schools where they will work. The program also is an excellent recruitment incentive for talented students who wish to enter the teaching field to come to UD.” “It’s a great partnership,” Stokes said. “The school districts are fully committed to developing and hiring future teachers. The students benefit– with an academic education from the University and practical classroom training from the school districts. Although all education students observe and practice teaching, this program is far more intensive and begins earlier. The program is available to students across campus, and we are particularly interested in attracting more secondary education students.” Freshman Amanda Wright of Wilmington is a graduate of Howard High School and an intern in a third grade at Marbook Elementary School in the Red Clay School District. During the fall semester, she observed and helped the teacher by working with children individually. In her spare time, she gets further experience with children by working in a day care center. Wright is enthusiastic about the program and says it is a good fit. “You have to be willing to stick with the program, like children and want to teach,” she said. Administrators from the three districts give the program high marks as well. “We expect that this unique corps of teachers, having spent significant time in one of our high-need schools in Delaware throughout their undergraduate careers, will be better prepared and more committed to teaching in Delaware,” said Dan Kingery, assistant superintendent of personnel and support services in the Capital School District. Debra Davenport, supervisor of human resources in the Red Clay Consolidated School District, said that such “quality, pre-service teacher education programs are vital to producing an adequate supply of competent teachers.” “These new teachers will deserve and receive top priority for employment by the partnering schools,” pointed out Shirley Saunders, supervisor of personnel in the Christina School District. For more information about the program, contact Brooks at 831-1641 or by e-mail at <sbrooks@udel.edu>, Van Dornick at 831-3000 or by e-mail at <bvandorn@udel.edu> or Stokes at 831-1281 or by e-mail at <mastokes@udel. edu>. –Sue Moncure