News
New teaching certification program launch ahead
October 08, 2023
By Travis Snyder [email protected]
Northwest Education Services is partnering with Grand Valley State University to offer full funding for school employees in northern Michigan who want to earn elementary teaching certification. It’s a six-semester, hybrid program that will begin in January 2024. In-person meetings will take place at the Traverse City Regional Center on Dendrinos Drive. State funding allows the program to be offered at no cost to participants. This includes tuition, books, and resources available to help with funding for technology as well. “We’ve had a really strong interest so far for this November 1st deadline, and hopefully more people will be able to make that time and consider the next cohort if this one’s not right for them,” Shannon Owen, director of GVSU’s Traverse City Regional Center, said. “We’re hoping for 24 applicants, I know we have at least 20 now.” Anyone currently employed in the Northwest Education Services region, who has a bachelor’s degree, can qualify for the program. No area of specialty for the bachelor’s degree is required, and the certification allows graduates to have a classroom immediately, rather than requiring them to complete another year of student teaching.
“That’s the beauty of it,” Owen said. “Because they’re already in the classroom, they’re getting that experience while they’re going through the program. We’re able to utilize the experience that they have towards their degree program.” This opportunity is “beneficial for both ends of the pipeline. It’s an opportunity for those working in education that want to get certified, and also helps the districts in the area that are in need of educators,” Matt Olson, assistant superintendent for professional learning and innovation at Northwest Education Services, said. “The biggest challenge was figuring out the funding for the program.” Thanks to the “Grow Your Own” grant, the concept has become a reality. He said the two partners hope to build this program into something that is sustainable for the future, and lasts longer than just a few years. The idea was first identified in 2021, Owen said. ”Matt Olson and I were talking about there being 36 classrooms that didn’t have teachers. I couldn’t believe there were that many openings. He told me that North Ed needed help in finding a solution, so we worked together to get the funding to start this program.” “We wanted to have the funds to support the students – that’s the biggest barrier is the financial hurdle. North Ed received the funds from the state to pay for their paraprofessionals, any support staff that they have there with a bachelor's degree, to become teacher-certified.” Nick Ceglarek, Northwest Ed Services superintendent, said, “We are grateful for this state funding, the support of the Michigan Department of Education and our strong community partners like GVSU.
“By removing barriers, like the cost of tuition, for those who want to become teachers, we can bolster the educator pipeline and ensure that every child in school has a qualified, caring adult to lead them in the classroom.” Brittany Palmer is a teaching assistant at the Life Skills Center in Traverse City. She’s currently working toward her bachelor’s in integrative studies, and is enrolled in GVSU’s accelerated LEADS program. This opportunity led to her making a decision she felt was best for herself and her family. “There was no reason to say no.” Owen said Palmer is the model for why the program was created. “The program has been thoughtfully designed with working adults in mind, providing the convenience of parttime coursework accessible online and at the Traverse City Regional Center. … It offers the flexibility required for these educators to reach their professional goals.” “We’re educating and training people that are here already to up-skill in a lot of ways, and help them reach their career goals,” Owen said. “And they don’t have to quit their job to do this degree program. We want them to keep working.” Speaking of the investment the opportunity creates for the Northern Michigan region, Owen added, “We can educate and train people in this area to stay in this area. … I love the idea that the ones in the schools have the support staff that they need; they have housing; they have the infrastructure that they need to be supported. ”Now we’re investing in them to become teachers.”