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Published Dec. 4, 2020

An innovative program designed by the University of Louisiana Monroe School of Education to meet the critical shortage of K-12 teachers is going statewide after being adopted by the Louisiana State Workforce Commission Workforce Investment Council on Dec. 2.

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网曝门's Pre-Educator Pathway program is the first of its kind in the state and is backed by the Louisiana Department of Education and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

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The program allows high school students to take courses at their schools to prepare them for a career in education. It gives them an early start toward teacher certification upon graduation or to enter an educator curriculum at the university level.

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Amy L. Weems, Ed.D., assistant professor in the College of Arts, Education, and Sciences School of Education, authored the plan.

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"The 网曝门 regional Pre-Educator Pathway has now been advanced to the Louisiana State Pre-Educator Pathway. This is the culmination of several years of efforts to develop innovative partnerships that will help us to recruit, train and retain high school students who are interested in the field of education," Weems said.

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Pilot success at Wossman, Neville

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The pilot program began in fall 2019 when the School of Education partnered with the Monroe City School District to implement Educators Rising at Wossman and Neville high schools. This initiative encourages and mentors high school students toward careers as teachers.

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With Educators Rising in place, Weems and colleagues from the School of Education further developed the curriculum and guidelines to create the Pre-Educator Pathway. The state's program will use 网曝门's model.

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Based on Wossman and Neville's success, MCS plans to take the Pre-Educator Pathway to all high schools in the district, according to Serena White, MCS Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

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"The course introduced key educational topics such as student engagement, assessment, and equity in the classroom. Students had opportunities to explore the topics, observe in classrooms, teach lessons, and participate in Educator Rising state events. Now, some of those students are pursuing the goal of becoming a teacher," said White. "MCS plans to expand the Pre-Educator Pathway districtwide and is excited to see our students join the education profession."听

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Ashley Ellis, assistant principalat Neville and BESE member, said the Pre-Educator Pathway "has been a wonderful addition to our Neville High School offerings."

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"Part of the solution to teacher shortages and problems in education is to engage altruistic young people early, and high school is the perfect place," Ellis said. "Through the Pre-Educator Pathway coursework, students learn about growth and fixed mindset, brain-based learning research, and the importance of cultivating reflective dispositions in young learners. It's amazing how interested our students get once they see what happens behind the scenes. We delve into cultural competencies and discover the impact that culturally responsive teaching can bring to a community."

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Seeking new partner high schools

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Weems said they are seeking partnerships with area school districts to bring the Pre-Educator Pathway to more high school students.

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鈥淲ith this statewide designation, high schools will have additional incentives and funding sources to implement the pathway that includes coursework, field experiences, and teaching apprenticeships,鈥� said Weems. "The sooner we can provide the Pre-Educator Pathway to more high school students, the sooner we can inspire the teachers of tomorrow, today."

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For more information on the 网曝门 Pre-Educator Pathway in the School of Education, College of Arts, Education, and Sciences, contact Weems at听weems@ulm.edu听or 318-342-1280.