CECI guides teacher academy in Kent County, draws interest from Gilchrist

October 11, 2022 (Volume 46, Number 4)
Article by Brian Vernellis

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Pictured third from left is Amy Schelling, associate dean at the College of Education and Community Innovation, who met with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, fourth from right, and others at the Kent Career Tech Center September 26.

Photo Credit: courtesy photo

Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist visited with students and faculty at the Kent Career Tech Center on September 26 to learn more about the center’s Teacher Academy, and what it’s doing to address the shortage of teachers in the state.

Amy Schelling, associate dean at the College of Education and Community Innovation, attended the event and spoke during the roundtable discussion about Grand Valley’s role with the academy.

“Innovative ideas such as GVSU’s partnership with the KCTC Teacher Academy and the Future Proud MI Educator initiatives are valuable because they support the development of well-prepared teachers, and well-prepared teachers tend to stay in the profession and flourish in the field,” Schelling said.

Juniors and seniors who attend a Kent County high school or are home-schooled are eligible for the academy, which prepares students for careers in teaching or education.

During the discussion Gilchrist also heard from academy students, parents, Rep. Rachel Hood and Ron Koehler, superintendent of Kent Intermediate School District.

Schelling said she worked closely with academy instructor Laura Castle in developing the curriculum, which involves instruction on the foundations of teaching and learning, core teaching practices as well as receiving time in classrooms working with children. 

Students can also earn direct credit for Grand Valley class EDF 115: Introduction to Education: An Exploration of Teaching in America.

“I’m happy to collaborate with them and hopefully they increase the number of students who are interested in teaching and foster that interest while they are in high school and expose them to professional roles that can be found in K-12 education setting,” Schelling said. “Students have a really good foundation when they come to our program.”

The academy’s enrollment has doubled from the inaugural class of 36 students last year to 76 students this year. 

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