STATESVILLE, N.C. — There’s a new local effort to tackle the nationwide teacher shortage, with a goal of recruiting students before they even graduate from high school.
The unique program in Statesville is leading students into the teaching field -- and it all starts in classrooms like Room A-225.
“This class is, it’s very unique and different. So, the topics are different,” said senior Jamarion Brown.
Those topics surround the various career paths in education.
“I never like really see myself as a teacher,” said senior Nayelli Ramirez. “But taking this class really has, like, changed my mind a little bit.”
Ramirez is talking about “Students to Teachers through Educator Pathways.” It’s a new program at Statesville High School, and the only one in North Carolina partnering with Western Carolina University.
“When you just think about being a teacher, you really don’t get the whole gist of it,” said senior Jaikyn Blankenship.
The program’s purpose is to help recruit students into teaching and tackle the teacher shortage. Brooke Campbell teaches the program and said her approach is why the seats are filled.
“‘You want to do something fun? Do you want to go on field trips? And do you love kids?’ And if they said yes, then this is the right place for you,” Campbell said.
Students are exposed to teaching all grade levels and all subjects, and some have already decided what subject they want to teach.
“If I do teach, like middle-grade or high school-grade, I will teach math, but my heart is in elementary,” said Jamarion Brown.
“It got me thinking like, ‘hey, like maybe I do want to do this,’” Nayelli Ramirez said.
And that’s exactly what the program wants to encourage.
A watchdog report released last week from the U.S. Government Accountability Office revealed schools in urban and rural areas are feeling the pinch from teacher shortages the most, as well as schools serving mostly minority students. The report also found the “negative perception of the teaching profession” and the “lack of support for current teachers” is hurting recruitment and retention.
The Department of Education says it has taken steps to address teacher shortages, including offering technical assistance and grant programs, among other measures.
(WATCH BELOW: Rock Hill teacher earns grant to fund new student program)
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