LEXINGTON, Ky. — It’s an issue the state of Kentucky has seen in recent months and years.
School districts are facing widespread teacher shortages and earlier this month, we highlighted a story of a Lexington pastor stepping in to help as a substitute teacher.
Now, leaders at Eastern Kentucky University and the Bluegrass Community Technical College are also helping solve the problem.
What You Need To Know
- Many school districts are facing a teacher shortage
- BCTC and EKU are partnering to offering a new education fast track
- 2+2 program helps students earn an Associate’s Degree and transfer credits to EKU to earn a Bachelor’s Degree
- BCTC is accepting students now to start in the Fall semester
“I teach ASL, community sign language for the Creative Ministry,” said 18-year-old Alyssa Hicks.
She realized teaching children at her church could lead her to a fulfilling career.
“I always got [along] well with children because I’m a lifeguard, so I also am around children daily,” she said.
Hicks spends a lot of time studying for her core classes at a coffee shop in Danville.
“I figured that I wanted to be in education where I can inspire children to they do able their has their successes and lead to their full potential in life,” Hicks said.
Teachers are in critical need across the state, according to BCTC’s Education Program Coordinator Dan Schuman.
“Completion of teacher training programs has dropped precipitously in the last decade or so,” Schuman said. “We’re just trying to do what we can to try to address that issue.”
The pandemic has exacerbated the issue, Schuman said. It’s why EKU and BCTC are partnering up and offering what’s called 2+2 educational program.
Starting in August, students at BCTC can earn their two-year Elementary Associate’s Degree. Then they’ll be able to enroll at EKU to earn their Bachelor’s degree at the same time.
“We just need more teachers, particularly in Elementary Ed… but also in areas like special education and ESL,” Schuman said.
In February, the Kentucky Department of Education reported the number of people completing teacher training in the state dropped by 37% between 2008 and 2018.
“Students that complete Elementary Ed can do an endorsement in those other areas too, because they’re those are particularly high need areas,” Schuman said.
BCTC has an EKU adviser on-site for any students interested in the program or work with current students to transfer credit.
“Me becoming a teacher and hopefully others like young people become teachers, this will resolve this issue and bring more awareness that education is needed,” Hicks said.