Program helps school fill difficult positions

Schools

Discussion

October 26, 2009

By GINA KINSLOW The Glasgow Daily Times Mon Oct 26, 2009, 12:12 PM CDT

EDMONTON — Two area school districts are among 20 in the Green River Regional Educational Cooperative that will be utilizing federal dollars to fund a teacher recruiting program.

The program is called Transition to Teaching and allows school districts to recruit mid-career professionals and recent college graduates into teaching careers.

GRREC received $2.25 million from the U.S. Department of Education, which will be divided among the 20 school districts. Through the program, GRREC will place up to 100 new teachers in Kentucky schools over the next five years. Locally, the two school districts that will be participating in the program are the Metcalfe County School System and the Caverna Independent School District, according to a press release.

Patricia Hurt, superintendent of Metcalfe County Schools, said her district utilizes such programs anytime they are available.

“We consider it as an option when looking to fill hard to fill positions,” she said. “We use the program when looking for highly qualified teachers in critical shortage content areas.”

The content areas that have been difficult for the school system to find teachers to teach are special education and technology, she said.

Sam Dick, superintendent of Caverna Independent School District, said his district used to have a hard time finding teachers to teach special education, but lately the district has had a problem finding science, math and foreign language teachers.

“This program allows people who already have their math degree or science degree or foreign language degree to take education classes while they are working on their masters degree,” he said. “It allows you to teach while you are working on your (masters degree).”

Marlene West is one teacher in the district who utilized the program in the past. West had a degree in business but had not taken any education courses so she could earn her teaching certificate. West went back to school to take the necessary courses in education while teaching business classes at Caverna High School, Dick said.

Funds in the grant will cover the cost of over 50 percent of graduate-level tuition costs associated with obtaining teaching certification, according to the press release. GRREC has previously operated two similar Transition to Teaching projects and has already placed 125 highly qualified teachers within south central Kentucky.

The other 18 school districts that are eligible for the program are: Adair, Allen, Breckinridge, Butler, Cumberland, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hart, Monroe, Ohio and Todd counties, plus Bowling Green Independent, Campbellsville, Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Russellville.

Text Only

Schools

Lego Leaguers build talents
Students from schools in the Glasgow district proved they can have fun while learning and competing.

December 15, 2011 1 Photo
‘Project Elfinator’ to buy gifts for seniors
Colin and Cameron Campbell have a big task ahead of them this week.

December 14, 2011 1 Photo
Schedule for 2012-13 year approved
The Glasgow Board of Education had a full agenda Monday night during its regular monthly meeting, including saying good-bye to the district’s successful high school football coach.

December 13, 2011 1 Photo
Pedigo sworn as new board member
The Barren County School Board now has a female majority following the swearing in of new board member Michelle Pedigo at the beginning of Thursday night’s regular board meeting.

December 9, 2011 1 Photo
District extends testing to improve performance
One area school district is working to improve student career and college readiness results by increasing the number of opportunities students have to take certain tests that measure their progress toward those readiness benchmarks.

November 30, 2011
BCHS launches college application week
Barren County High School had 125 seniors, from the “GEAR UP Class of 2012,” fill out 263 college applications in one day recently.

November 30, 2011
School musicians recognized for ability
Young musicians from the area can be proud of their performances after a large majority of them returned home with honors from a recent competition.

November 26, 2011
Award tells story of success
A Barren County school was named as a top 10 recipient of a new state educational award last week that used criteria such as student achievement, school safety, leadership within the building and staff working conditions in the selection process.

November 18, 2011
GHS has roof over head
The majority of new construction at Glasgow High School is now under roof with only the kitchen and cafeteria areas remaining to be covered.

November 16, 2011 1 Photo
AFTERNOON UPDATE: GMS starts sneaker recycling program at Friday's game
he Glasgow Middle School Green Team is hosting a sneaker recycling drive.

November 10, 2011
More Schools Headlines

Schools

Search Results

Discussion

Program helps school fill difficult positions

Site Map