Nationwide, more than a million veteran teachers are nearing retirement.
In New Hampshire, 40-percent of teachers are over age 50.
Without serious recruitment efforts, the state will face a critical teacher shortage.
But attracting young people to the profession can be difficult.
New Hampshire Public Radio’s Amy Quinton reports on a creative recruiting effort that may also help keep teachers from leaving the profession.
Two teachers stand in front of a classroom at a recent conference sponsored by the teachers union NEA New Hampshire.
Their lesson uses the latest research to show teachers how to manage different personalities in the classroom. (nat sound up)
But this classroom isn’t filled with teachers -- instead with high school students, like senior Christine Robins from Stevens High School in Claremont.
I’m learning a lot about teaching styles, how to manage the classroom how to engage students, we started some mini lessons so actually had to work with curriculums and stuff
Robins is one of 100 high school students across the state taking part in the Future Educators Academy.
It’s not an after-school club for would-be teachers, but a program that gives two college credit courses to high school students.
Director Marsha Miller says the program shows students how to be both academically and emotionally prepared for teaching.
1114 1:50 The courses are really a realistic view at both sides of teaching and we think its important for them to have that experience so that when they say they want to be a teacher they really know all the joys and all the challenges.
Miller says students come into the program already knowing about the low salaries and the misperception that those who can’t do, teach.
But they learn about other challenges in the profession.
As part of the coursework, students actually teach in front of a classroom.
First they practice in front of their peers, something Robins found to be more difficult than she expected.
1138 :06 It was really nerve-wracking, just to get up there because you made the lesson yourself, you did the objective, you did the directions, and you had to stand up there and actually had to have a point – its was really nerve wracking just in front of five people.
Other students are surprised by the overwhelming amount of work.
Senior Jessica Nadeau is from Spaulding High School in Rochester.
1130 there’s a lot of work, a lot of paperwork, amazing stuff, but you know what it’s worth it, in the end its worth is because you’re helping those kids in so many different ways whether it be just a tap on the shoulder just to say good job or putting a word problem on the board, either way your helping those kids get where they want to be in life.
Nadeau has already applied to UNH and hopes to be a history or social studies teacher.
She’ll already have three college credits from the courses at the academy.
Grace Jeffrey Nelson with NEA New Hampshire believes it’s important to attract students to the teaching profession before they get to college.
1160 I think it gives them the reality piece that maybe some students who are going into teaching haven’t seen yet, and don’t get an opportunity to have until they’re sophomores or juniors and boy, that’s a little late to change your mind once you’re in a college program.
Students who want to continue with the Future Educators Academy have to maintain a high grade point average.
Nelson says they want to attract the best and brightest students – those that will stick with teaching despite the difficulties.
The program also gave 17 students scholarships this year to use at New Hampshire colleges and universities.
The hope is that the program will give students an incentive to stay in state to teach.
That’s already a goal for Christine Robins.
1140 :05 I would really like to work right in my hometown, I would like to work in Claremont, if not in Claremont, Lebanon, Hanover, I mean, it would be really cool to go back to my school and be teaching with teachers that I’ve had, that’s what I would look forward to.
It’s unclear whether programs like the Future Educators Academy will be successful in producing more teachers in New Hampshire.
This is only the program’s third year.
But it’s already sparked nationwide interest.
The directors will be discussing the program during the National Education Association Conference in November.
For NHPR news, I’m Amy Quinton.
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The program sounds great but as a certified teacher (who is not working) I have a few issues. I graduated from Keene State College in 2004 with a teacher's certificate for Social Studies, grades 5 - 12.
Firstly, (from what I understand) most education programs will not accept education credits from another institution. The teacher in training must complete their entire training at that institution. These college credits can be applied an overall number of credits but won't count towards their education credits.
Secondly, I applied for 25 - 30 jobs and had 8 interviews and was told by each school that they hired someone with more experience. Furthermore, I was told by those schools that they could not afford to add Social Studies teachers because they needed to add more Special Education teachers. I felt like if all of the schools I dealt with were hiring teachers with "more experience" that there wasn't a teacher shortage.
I think the NEA and the education programs in New Hampshire need to tell students to be more realistic about their options if they want to become a teacher. They should be strongly encouraged to get a dual certification in Special Education and whatever else they want to a certification in, because honestly, public schools are desperate for special education teachers. There are not enough people trained and the turnover rate is very high because special education is a stressful field.
I wish that earlier in my education program someone had told us just how important a certificate for Special Education was because I was unable to find a job and many other beginning teachers I know are in the same situation. You can use your Special Education certificate to get your foot in the door, but those of us without it are left out in the cold.
I am proud of my degree and teaching certificate but it is frustrating to spend four years in school and not be able to reap the rewards of your hard work.