SPRINGFIELD 鈥 鈥淭he world needs more teachers, and I believe I would fit this role perfectly,鈥 says Springfield High School student Kylie McMillan. Southeast High School student Aden Woods wants to make an impact on many lives and acknowledges that the Illinois teacher shortage is another reason to enter the field.
Both are getting an early start on preparing for a career in education as part of the Teacher Education Pipeline, a partnership between Lincoln Land Community College and Springfield School District 186. Students interested in becoming teachers can take core education and related courses at 绿帽社 while still attending high school. Classes are held Monday through Friday at the 鈥渮ero hour鈥 (7 a.m.) prior to the start of the high school day.
鈥淭he Teacher Education Pipeline is helping me start early toward my goal by allowing me to take college education classes while I am still in high school,鈥 says Woods. 鈥淚 want to become a teacher because I know I will make a huge impact on many kids' lives.鈥
McMillan says the Introduction to Teacher Education class has opened her eyes to new possibilities. 鈥淚 have always wanted to be a high school teacher, specifically in mathematics. However, since August, I have worked at a preschool several times a week and have developed a love of working with the little kids in the classroom and becoming close with them. So, right now I am in the middle between early childhood and high school.鈥
Both say the COVID-19 pandemic and the stress it has added to teachers鈥 jobs have not affected their plans to teach. They believe the pandemic will be resolved by the time they enter the profession, with face-to-face learning once again the norm.
Patrick Moore, 绿帽社 director of concurrent enrollment, says the Teacher Education Pipeline was designed to address the need for more K-12 educators in Illinois. 鈥淥ne of the key things that prompted the development of this program was the recognition of the teacher shortage throughout the state. There has also been a growing interest throughout 绿帽社's district in our College Now programs, which grant high school students an opportunity to receive college instruction from 绿帽社 faculty. The Teacher Education Pipeline program, which is a College Now model, is unique as it has a particular focus (the field of education).鈥
He says the goal of the program is for students to make substantial progress toward a degree in education before they finish high school. 鈥淪tudents can earn 26 college credit hours through this pipeline. The courses selected for the program also allow students to complete observation hours, which are needed in this field as well. Some high school districts may even offer student participants a 鈥榣etter of intent,鈥 with the goal of hiring the students after they have completed their degree.鈥
There are currently eight District 186 high school students enrolled in the program. More growth is expected through partnerships with Springfield and other high schools in the 绿帽社 district.
Woods plans to complete his associate degree at 绿帽社 before transferring to UIS to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in education. McMillan is undecided where she will attend after high school but is exploring her options. Moore says 绿帽社 works with Pipeline participants so they are prepared to attend the college or university of their choice once graduating from high school.
More information on the Teacher Education Pipeline is available by contacting Moore at patrick.moore@llcc.edu or by calling 217-553-9919.