Kansas helps high school students explore teaching careers
Thursday, February 19, 2009
As the Kansas legislature considers ways to recruit and retain educators, Emporia State University is making preparations for the Kansas Future Teacher Academy’s 20th year.
Every year, the state’s nationally renowned Teachers College at Emporia hosts 25-60 high school students for five days. During the academy, participants learn about opportunities for careers in education, problem-solving and leadership skills, personal goal setting, and the use of technology in education.
For the last eight years, the academy has been held at two locations – Emporia State and Dodge City Community College – to accommodate summer schedules and geographic distance. This year the KFTA will be held June 14 through 18 at Emporia State University and June 6 through 13 at Dodge City Community College.
The Kansas Legislature is currently working on ways to address the state’s teacher shortage. This shortage is caused by:
• Teachers exiting the profession after only a few years in the classroom: nearly 40 percent of teachers leave the field within their first five years.
• Baby boomer retirement: over a third of the state’s teachers are eligible for retirement in the next five years.
“The goal of the academy is to expose high school students in Kansas to the rewards of the teaching profession,” said Scott Waters, director of the KFTA. “Having two locations allows students to benefit from this exciting opportunity without having to drive great distances.”
Funding for the academy is provided by the Kansas legislature. Applications are available online from www.emporia.edu/jones and from high school counselors. Applications will be accepted through March 20. Students are allowed into the academy based upon their academic standing, involvement in school and community activities, and interest in exploring a career in teaching.
The KFTA is coordinated by the Jones Institute for Educational Excellence at ESU. For more information about the academy, visit www.emporia.edu/jones/kfta/ or contact Terri Weast at 341-5372 or Scott Waters at 341-5764.