Golden Apple Foundation And Other Organizations Work To Help Teacher Shortage
In this Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, photo, Erin Huff, a kindergarten teacher at Waverly Elementary School, works with, from left to right, Ava Turner, a 2nd grader, Benton Ryan, 1st grade, and 3rd grader Haven Green, on estimating measurements using mini marshmallows in Waverly, Ill. Huff, a 24-year-old teacher in her third year, says relatively low pay, stress and workload often discourage young people from pursuing teaching degrees, leading to a current shortage of classroom teachers in Illinois. A nonprofit teacher-training program is using a $750,000 addition to the state budget to speed up certification to address a rampant teacher shortage. John O'Conner/Associated Press
Illinois has been facing a teaching shortage of roughly 1800 educators throughout the state, a number only projected to grow in the coming years.
To help combat this issue, the Golden Apple Foundation launched a program to train teachers for rural, suburban and urban schools-of-need in Illinois.
“I just don’t think we have elevated the teaching profession to where it needs to be. There has been a loss of respect for it and we need to honor the profession of teachers,” said Alan Mather, President of the Golden Apple Foundation.
Golden Apple has implemented an accelerated program in which people with a bachelor’s degree can get their teaching license in a year by taking classes online through either Blackburn college or Eastern Illinois University.
The Scholars and Accelerators Program aims to make a difference in resolving the shoring through recruitment, preparation, mentorship and retention of high-quality teachers.
Guests: Alan Mather, President of the Golden Apple Foundation.