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CEIS to Launch Teaching Academies to Spark Interest in Education Careers

teaching academies

Cal Poly Pomona's College of Education and Integrative Studies will utilize a SchoolsFirst Credit Union grant to launch several teaching academies in Los Angeles County school districts to inspire the next generation of K-12 teachers.

Beginning this school year, teaching academy courses will be held at Mountain View High School in El Monte and Northview High School in West Covina. Depending on the institution, the program pathways can be up to three years in duration. After the 2019-20 pilot year, the program will add 12 more schools, and then expand even further.

“The goal of this program is to increase and improve the future teacher pipeline by making students aware of the need as well as the advantages of becoming a teacher,” said Nick Salerno, teacher intern program coordinator and adjunct faculty member in CEIS. “Students will learn more about the teaching profession, what it takes to be a teacher as well as the needed coursework and education. Students will also go on tours of CPP and can observe classes and speak with our faculty and staff via seminars and meetings.”

Based on a 2016 survey conducted by the Learning Policy Institute of 211 school districts in California, nearly 75 percent of school districts report having a teacher shortage and over 80 percent claim the shortage has worsened over time.

The areas of greatest need include special education, math and science. According to the survey, approximately nine out of 10 school districts report shortages of special education teachers; nearly 60 percent of school districts report shortages of math and science teachers; over one-third of districts report shortages of elementary teachers; and 14 percent of districts report shortages of bilingual teachers.

 “Our faculty is eager to serve as liaisons with the academies, visiting often and welcoming prospective teachers to campus,” said CEIS Dean Jeff Passe. “We want everyone involved to know that teaching is a great career.”

The teaching academy is free and open to high school students who currently attend Mountain View High School or Northview High School. Students can earn college credit and certification.

For more information about CEIS’s teaching academy, contact Nick Salerno at njsalerno@cpp.edu.

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