Proposed SWCC program addresses teacher shortage

The Iowa Department of Education lists teacher shortages in 21 different categories including mathematics, physical education, agriculture and social studies.

Southwestern Community College Vice President of Instruction Lindsay Stoaks said, over the past year or more, several area school superintendents and principals have reached out to Southwestern administrators to express their concern about the teacher shortage.

“Ensuring the college is meeting the needs of the region is a top priority,” she said. “Therefore, the college has implemented several strategies for the 2022-23 academic year to help address the teacher shortage.”

The college is preparing an application to allow students who complete three of the college’s existing educational courses to qualify toward the paraprofessional generalist certification through the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

If approved by the Iowa Department of Education, the paraprofessional generalist certification could be offered as soon as 2023.

When the program is up and running, students who complete the courses introduction to education, exceptional learner and observation in teaching would be eligible to apply to the Iowa Board of Education Examiners for a PK-12 paraeducator generalist certificate.

The applicants will be required to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent and complete the background checks.

“Many AEA’s and other community colleges across the state have offered the program; however, the recently-developed Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship (TPRA) grant program has led to the creation of additional paraeducator training opportunities across the state,” Stoaks said. “Several K-12 school districts in the college’s service area are participating in the TPRA grant program and the college looks forward to assisting with the instructional component of the apprenticeship program.”

The certification is issued for a five-year term and may be renewed following the completion of three renewal credits and mandatory reporter training.

“Students have had the opportunity to earn associate of arts degrees at Southwestern and transfer on to four-year institutions to earn a bachelor’s degree in education for many years,” Stoaks said. “Southwestern has a proud history of serving as a launching pad for many of the area’s current K-12 teachers. Over the past five years, Southwestern has consistently enrolled between 60 to 80 students in our education programs and that trend looks to continue for the fall of 2022.”

The first strategy was the hire of a full-time education instructor. “The college recognized the need to have our full-time educator connecting with our local K-12s to identify and recruit prospective educators to Southwestern to complete their associate degree,” she said.

In March, the Southwestern Board of Trustees approved the hire of a full-time education instructor, Salina Chesnut. Chesnut served as a kindergarten teacher in Creston for the past nine years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Grand Canyon University in 2012 and then a master’s degree in education from the University of Phoenix in 2016.

“She is thoroughly excited to assist in building a pipeline of local students to help address the teacher shortage,” Stoaks said.

In visiting with area K-12 administrators, Stoaks said research indicates a large percentage of K-12 educators teach within approximately 40 miles of their hometown. “With this concept in mind, SWCC administrators began working with area K-12 administrators to create and launch the teacher prep academy this fall.”

The teacher prep academy gives high school students the chance to complete dual-credit coursework to prepare them to pursue degrees in education. These classes include introduction to education, exceptional learners, children’s literature and technology in the classroom. The program will also allow students to connect with an outstanding educator for observation-based courses.

“Connecting high school students with an interest in education with an outstanding educator in the classroom is crucial for building a pipeline of educators,” Stoaks said. “The teacher prep academy will be rounded out with arts and sciences courses to assist students with meeting general education requirements upon transfer.”

Stoaks is hopeful the teacher prep academy will be a high-retention pathway transitioning students full-time to complete their associate of arts degree at Southwestern and then transferring seamlessly to four-year colleges and universities.

“Overall, we want the teacher prep academy to make education more accessible and affordable for students across the Region 14 area,” she said. “At the same time, it is equally important to note that anyone interested in pursuing a degree in education can come to Southwestern to get their start.”