Individuals interested in becoming math or science teachers have until May 1 to apply for the Partnership for Transition to Teaching Program at the University of Central Arkansas.
The Partnership for Transition to Teaching is open to individuals with math and science backgrounds. The program’s goal is to recruit mid-career professionals and recent graduates with degrees outside of education and then help these recruits become teachers through alternative certification routes.
UCA’s College of Education received a $2.3 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education to help alleviate the shortage of mathematics and science teachers in the Little Rock and North Little Rock school districts. The grant provides up to $5,000 for tuition and fees to assist candidates in earning a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. Teacher candidates are required to teach in high-need schools for at least three years.
“One of UCA’s major missions is to provide outreach to our university community. This grant helps to fulfill that mission,” said Dr. Carolyn Williams, associate dean of the College of Education. “The North Little Rock and Little Rock school districts will have more highly qualified mathematics and science teachers in the classrooms.”
Candidates will earn preliminary teaching licensure and credentials in one year while working as university intern teachers in the targeted partnership school districts. They will engage in high quality, innovative science, technology, engineering and mathematics workshops educational opportunities and professional development activities through the UCA STEM Institute. The partnership program is an ongoing collaboration among the school districts, the College of Education and the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at UCA.
For more information, please contact Dr. Carolyn Williams at transition@uca.edu or (501) 450-3627.