RICHMOND — After four successful years, Eastern Kentucky University’s “Try Teaching” program is again accepting applications from mid- and second-career professionals who are intrigued about their potential in front of a classroom.
The nationally innovative program is geared to those who have doubts about leaving their current job behind to return to college for a second degree. It allows participants to gauge their comfort level as a classroom teacher before making a life-changing career move.
The program, funded by a $175,000 grant from Ashland Inc., has attracted 37 participants in its first four years. Each spent one or two weeks in a K-12 classroom, gaining first-hand experience as they assisted in the preparation and execution of lesson plans while learning successful educational practices from their teaching mentors.
Several from the inaugural group have decided to enter EKU’s Master’s in Teaching Program, which prepares and certifies individuals who hold non-teaching baccalaureate degrees, according to Dr. Cynthia Resor, coordinator of the MAT program and director of the “Try Teaching” program.
Theresa Brown, a system programmer for IBM, was partnered last year with Morton Middle School mathematics teacher Crystal Dixon in Fayette County. “It was worth a week’s vacation just to see the dedication to education of our city’s teachers,” Brown said. “‘Try Teaching’ gave me a chance to test the water. After a week at Morton, I knew teaching is something I want to pursue. I would recommend this to anyone considering a change in careers to teaching.”
Participants have the option of one- or two-week placements in elementary, middle and high schools throughout central and southeastern Kentucky, as close to home as possible.
In addition to classroom time with their mentoring teacher, “Try Teaching” participants will spend time with a university-level educator to learn more about certification procedures, the teaching profession and career benefits.
EKU officials hope the program will help those interested in making a career change to teaching.
“We need to be looking at alternate avenues for drawing qualified men and women from various backgrounds into the teaching field,” Resor said. “Teaching jobs are available in all subjects and grade levels, but there is a real shortage of math, science and foreign language teachers.”
EKU College of Education faculty and school district administrators work together to identify outstanding K-12 educators who will host participants in their classrooms. The host teachers will then be trained in effective mentoring techniques.
A preliminary screening will pre-qualify participants and reduce the risk that a participant would be ineligible for the MAT program. Those interested in the “Try Teaching” program will be asked to assemble educational transcripts, a professional resume and letters of recommendation, and will be interviewed to assess their overall disposition to teach. Also, before introducing anyone into a classroom setting, EKU will complete stringent state and federal background checks on all program candidates.
The application deadline this year is June 15. Because the number of participants will be limited, Resor suggested that interested individuals contact her as soon as possible at 622-2165 or at Cynthia.resor@eku.edu. More information is available at www.tryteaching.eku.edu.
EKU News
Program offers professionals a chance to teach
- EKU News
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Eastern Kentucky University alumni and friends are invited to visit the campus April 29 through May 1 when EKU hosts its annual Alumni Weekend, highlighted this year by performances from former members of bands that played at Speck’s, the legendary nightspot previously in downtown Richmond.
Friday, April 29 will offer an evening of live music from the Speck’s bands, including former members of “The Maroons” and “The Exiles,” from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Perkins Building.The cost of $22 includes beverages, appetizers, the live music and dancing. -
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Spring fling
Morgan Jolly, Miss Kentucky Teen 2011, and an Eastern Kentucky University freshman education major from Versailles, prepares to pop bubbles Monday with Sanjay Blevins, a special education student at Model Laboratory School. Jolly and about 19 others who reside in EKU’s education majors’ Living and Learning Community and 14 Model special-ed students enjoyed an hour of fun at the college students’ invitation. Such events outside of their school setting helps special-needs children developmentally, said Jolly, who planned the event with roommate Amanda Hubler.
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California Schemin’
Amanda West, from left, Micah Daniel Bennett, Alyssa Will, Marshall Manley and Whitlie Rose rehearse a scene from Eastern Kentucky University Theatre’s production of “California Schemin’” Performances continue tonight and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Gifford Theatre of the Jane F. Campbell Building. To reserve or purchase tickets, students and senior citizens are $5 and adults are $6, call the box office at 622-1323.
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EKU to host Science, engineering fair
Eastern Kentucky University will host the 9th annual Kentucky Science and Engineering Fair on Saturday at Alumni Coliseum. This is the state fair in which middle school and high school students from throughout the Commonwealth will be participating.
The event will feature the research of more than 215 students who have advanced through local and regional competitions across the state. They will be competing for ribbons, trophies, scholarships and special awards from corporations and various organizations.
The high school students who are selected as the Best of Fair will be a member of Team Kentucky that will represent the state at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles in May.
The public can view the student’s work from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday inside Alumni Coliseum on EKU’s campus. The awards ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. in Brock Auditorium in the Coates Building. -
‘Brain Rules’ author to speak at EKU
John Medina, author of the New York Times bestseller “Brain Rules,” will present a public lecture Tuesday, March 29 at Eastern Kentucky University.
His talk, “Brain Rules for Teaching,” will begin at 6 p.m. in Walnut Hall of the Keen Johnson Building. There will be a question-and-answer period following the session. -
Environmental ‘Hero’ to speak at EKU
Graciela Chichilnisky, recognized by Time Magazine in 2009 as one of the “Heroes of the Environment,” will speak at Eastern Kentucky University Thursday, March 31.
Her presentation titled “Avoiding Extinction” will begin at 7:30 p.m. in O’Donnell Hall of the Student Success Building. It is part of the University’s year-long Chautauqua lecture series and serves as the sixth-annual Distinguished Lecture in International Studies and keynote address for Women’s History Month. The event is free and open to the public. - More EKU News Headlines
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