February 2, 2001 UNT Inhouse publication: New program to help fill teacher shortage

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New program to help fill teacher shortage

Changes in career trends — including the increased tendency to change occupations later in life — may help fill a void in education while providing a fulfilling career for those who are looking for something different.

Today, trends in the economy such as mergers and acquisitions, technological advancements, the desire for personal fulfillment and increased longevity all play a part in the longing many Americans have to seek paths to other careers. This is particularly evident in the middle-aged population.

The College of Education offers a solution not only for mid-life working and soon-to-be-retired professionals in a variety of fields, but also for children and adolescents, who are faced with a national teacher's shortage.

According to the National Education Association, 2.4 million teachers will be needed in the next 11 years because of teacher attrition, retirement and an increased student enrollment.

UNT in collaboration with the Dallas Independent School District is seeking individuals, considering changing careers. A certification program, geared toward prospective teachers, is being established at the UNT System Center at Dallas. It will address the problems of career changers as well as the teacher shortage.

"Through this innovative teacher certification program, we are not only confronting the challenge of teacher recruitment, but we are also addressing the needs of professionals seeking a career change," says Nell Ingram, director of the Dallas Alternative Teacher Certification Program. "Working with UNT, we hope to provide a viable solution to educational as well as career needs."

Jimmie Coker worked as a high-pressure line supervisor for a gas company. He is now teaching a sixth grade class at Valley View Junior High school. After many years in the workforce, professionals like Coker are ready for a change that will lead to personal fulfillment.

"The experience and wisdom of these mid-life professionals and career changers can be a valuable resource in teaching," says George Morrison, UNT's Velma Schmidt endowed chair in early childhood education. "Early childhood education is one of the areas we are focusing on. We need to provide more young children with male role models like Jimmie Coker."

Morrison and Mary Harris, UNT's Meadows chair for excellence in education, have identified the mid-life career changer as a new type of teacher. Coker fits this profile.

"For 22 years, I worked for a gas company," said Coker. "Toward my last years of employment, there was a lot of reengineering taking place in the company. I was in a responsible position, working with good people at a good company."

At mid-life and aware of the need for a change, Coker searched for other options. Finally, he realized that he found the most enjoyment when he was working with children. He enrolled at UNT in the fall of 1997 and started teaching grade school in 1999.

"I love my job teaching social studies and health," he says. "I'm having a blast. It's where I belong. Compared to my other job, I'm having twice as much fun for half as much money. I love kids. It's personally rewarding. I would encourage those working and soon-to-be retired professionals in a variety of fields to consider teaching."

"UNT made it possible for Jimmie Coker to realize a new dream," Harris says. "Now through this new program others will be able to obtain the same goal as Jimmie through the shorter, more intense UNT education certification program. "Mid-career teachers have a lot to offer their students: maturity, experience in working with others to solve problems. The wisdom and resources of these individuals can support the community, address the teacher shortage and improve the quality of education for future generations."

Interested parties are encouraged to contact Bobby Lothringer, Academic Outreach Coordinator for UNT's College of Education at (940) 369-7717.