According to the IARSS’ 2020 Illinois Educator Shortage Report, of the 591 responding Illinois superintendents, 77% surveyed “believe they have a problem with teacher shortages.” Illinois is experiencing a dire teacher shortage in early childhood education in particular. The state has annual openings of 2,623 for preschool and kindergarten teachers, and the need for well-prepared teachers is expected to grow by nearly 10% in the next six years according to Illinois Career Information System.
In response to such reports and our partners feedback, NLU’s National College of Education (NCE) is proud to now offer four pathways for individuals wanting to teach early learners. In addition to NCE’s two-year MAT early childhood (ECE) traditional, one-year intensive residency, and two-year alternative licensure tracks, in Spring 2022 NCE will launch an accelerated one-year teacher preparation program specifically for current early childhood educators who want to earn their Illinois teaching license. This opportunity is meant to specifically support those educators working in community-based organizations or independent school settings who want to continue their professional development and success as educators in and beyond the classroom.
While NCE’s Teacher Residency Program is also one year, that program is targeted to support career changers and those new to the field to become educators. Those accepted into this new, distinct accelerated program, however, are experienced teachers who have been in their own classrooms for at least three years and hold the Gateways to Opportunity ECE Credential Level 4. Given their previous experience, accelerated program candidates will complete both Master’s level coursework while continuing to teach full time with additional support from regular meetings with an onsite licensed mentor as well as a university supervisor.
Dr. Xiaoli Wen, associate professor, described the uniqueness of the program and its goals: “The NLU model is innovative, personalized, and responsive to full-time working teachers in several ways,” including:
- Our program’s online and hybrid courses give teachers flexibility in time and space arrangement to complete their licensure requirements while working full-time.
- The accelerated completion timeframe, place-based learning model, and job-embedded coaching elements afford those non-traditional learners meaningful learning opportunities.
- The program supports students with content test support, ESL/bilingual support, academic advising, and writing tutoring services to meet the needs specific to each teacher.
- Field supervision, on-site mentoring, a designated program coordinator, and peer support help to ease teachers’ anxiety, manage the logistics, encourage emotional balance, and promote personal growth.
- The full-year practicum seminar course (with the same instructor) facilitates a sustained experience and fosters continuous supportive relationships and strong connections within the cohort. It creates a community in which students feel safe and empowered to share ideas, experiences, feelings, and challenges together as everyone works towards the same goal of career advancement.
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