Colleges rally to address CCSD teacher shortage
With Clark County schools daunted by a severe teacher shortage this year, colleges in Southern Nevada are tackling several new initiatives to funnel more educators into local classrooms.
“We need to develop what I like to call home-grown teachers,” said Richard Trachok, Board of Regents chairman for the Nevada System of Higher Education. “Both Nevada State College and (UNLV) are the key sources for teacher training in the southern part of the state, and their education deans are very focused on putting out as many qualified teachers as possible.”
The Clark County School District welcomes students back on Monday. As of Thursday, it had filled fewer than 1,700 of its estimated 2,600 teacher vacancies.
At UNLV, one fledgling program that will help place military veterans into Clark County schools is showing promise. Dubbed Troops to Teachers, the federally funded initiative has drawn 500 applications for the program, which kicks off this year.
“We know we have a huge responsibility to the district,” said Kim Metcalf, dean of the college of education at UNLV. “We could triple our production of education professionals here — clearly, there’s demand here in the district and nationwide.”
CCSD estimates that about 500 of its classroom hires came from UNLV in 2013-14, the district’s most recent available data. About 98 percent of UNLV students who successfully complete licensure programs are employed by the district, according to the university.
Another new program approved by state leaders this spring allots $15 million for financial incentives for aspiring teachers. The Teach Nevada Scholarship Program, established through Senate Bill 511, will award up to $3,000 per semester, or $24,000 for a student during a four-year period. Nevada universities, colleges or other alternative licensure programs that offer teaching options will be able to apply for grant money to fund scholarships at their institutions. An additional incentive would give $5,000 annually for each of the first two years to 1,000 teachers who work at disadvantaged schools.
The new efforts bolster existing partnerships between the district and local universities, like UNLV’s yearlong Rebel Academy — a year-old summer enrichment program that pairs middle school students with UNLV student teachers.
Dennis Potthoff, who became dean of the education college at Nevada State College this summer, says the school uses the district’s high demand for educators to draw students into teaching careers.
“There is such a robust job market here, which is a tremendous advantage for people who want to live and work here,” Potthoff said. “That’s a great recruitment tool.”
Contact Ana Ley at aley@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512. Find her on Twitter @la__ley