New York State will need more than 180,000 new teachers in the next decade according to state officials. That number is concerning due to teacher shortages across the state and nation. Since 2009, enrollment in New York State’s teacher education programs has declined by 53 percent. Coupled with teacher retirements, the pipeline into teaching is a major concern.
Similar to other professions experiencing shortages, there is now an effort to focus on recruitment. While some young students may be called to teaching through a variety of ways, including being inspired by a teacher they had in school, or having a family member already in education, there is now an innovative and direct approach to get young people to take a look at teaching.
The Corning Teachers’ Association, which represents over 480 CPP teachers, is part of a statewide effort to proactively address the shortage through the Take a Look at Teaching class. It launched in September at Corning-Painted Post High School. The class is part of a larger initiative led by the New York State United Teachers organization, which represents public school teachers across the state. At CPP, CTA President David Rich presented the idea to district and high school leadership with a goal to have the class established here. “If we are not part of the solution, then we are part of the problem. The class offered a solution that was in our grasp to help increase the number of students pursuing education as a career,” Mr. Rich said. “This initiative helps us grow our own educators,” he added.
The half-year class is taught by CPPHS English teacher Megan Plate. She said, “The goal is to offer opportunities, insight, and exposure into the educational system and educational related fields to interested high school students. Those who are in the course observe a variety of classrooms Pre-K-12 as well as hearing from guest speakers who are current professionals in the field.”
In addition, students attend a professional development session, work on a community-based learning project, and tour different types of college campuses and classes.
Ms. Plate knew she wanted to be a teacher when she was in high school. “I was able to intern within a local high school for part of my day during my senior year. My internship coupled with the wonderful teachers I had as a high school student and summers spent as a camp counselor and director helped me to know I wanted to work with children, specifically as a teacher,” she said. “My high school teachers, especially my English teachers, acted as great coaches and mentors for me; they really encouraged me and made me believe in myself.”
This is the first time this course has been offered at CPPHS. Ms. Plate said she saw an opportunity to connect her experience and other educator experiences with our students. “I wanted to teach the course because of the opportunity it provides for our high school students and the chance it gives them to connect to each other, colleagues, and younger students. There is an obvious need for teachers and educational related professionals nationwide but without a chance to experience education from a professional's vantage point, some students don't consider it as a career option. I feel passionately about supporting current educators and this class seemed like a natural way to offer that same level of connectedness and collaboration for pre-service teachers,” she said.
A recent guest speaker in the class was CPPHS Librarian Britany Elsey. “I get to build lifelong readers,” she told the class. A graduate of West High School, she shared her journey to becoming an educator and what a typical day is like for her. Her passion for her career was evident to the students. “I had hundreds of books in my house growing up. Nearly 40-percent of households do not have books in the home.” She is working to change that. She explained to students in the Take a Look at Teaching Class, how in her role, she can bring the passion of reading to students through student engagement events in the school’s library. “We do special events around holidays, provide book boxes, posters and a program called CPP Reads,” she said.
Ms. Elsey has a Masters in Literacy and Masters in Library Science. She said to be successful in her role, you need to be aware of what is important to students. “I do a lot of research to find those connections,” she said. A useful resource she cited is BookTok, which is a community of users on TikTok who are passionate about books, literature and reading. She said you should never be done learning and stressed the importance of continual learning.
Students in the class also have opportunities outside of the classroom to learn more about becoming teachers. The class took a field trip in October to Broome Community College and another in November to Elmira College. These experiences highlight what they can expect in their course of study after high school if they pursue education. Ms. Plate said, “The very best part has been watching their excitement and 'an internal light' switch on for each of them at various points throughout the course. For some of the students that passion and energy is lit in our discussions while for others it is during their work in classroom observations and with students.”
In addition, the Take a Look at Teaching class is a concurrent enrollment course through Broome Community College and students can earn college credit. CTA President Mr. Rich said, “Having a higher education partner is a key element of this effort.”
The class is definitely providing the information and experience students need as they look toward their future. A student said, “The experiences in this class have helped me in my decision because it gives me insight of what my career path could be and what classes I’d have to take.”
Another said, “It’s given me a greater understanding of what this job can be, and the obstacles that come in the field, but I have also learned the good things that come out of it from veteran teachers I have observed.”
The class is helping the students with information and experiences to make decisions about their future. A student said, “Being in this class has helped me know that this is definitely something I want to continue with and pursue.”
In some instances, some students have not made any decision or said it likely will not be something they will pursue as a career, but they have learned about all the opportunities available to them, should they choose it.
Ms. Plate said, “I think it is just as valuable in this course to learn that the educational career field is not a good fit for you as learning or confirming that it is. The ability to experience a career related class at the high school level is an essential opportunity for students and can ultimately save future time, energy, and money.”
Even with the challenges the profession faces in the future with shortages, the Take a Look at Teaching class is making an impact, not just on students, but also on Ms. Plate. She said, “I was also lucky to have mentors throughout student teaching and my first years as a teacher to remind me to put relationships with students above all else as well as the importance of kindness in the classroom. Those are philosophies that I can already see within the students in the Take a Look at Teaching course. It is through their empathy and compassion that I know the future of education will be in great hands.”
As one student said, “I want to be a teacher so that I can make a difference in kids’ lives and help them.”
For students interested in learning more about this course, please contact your school counselor. You can also visit this website to learn more about becoming a teacher: https://takealookatteaching.org/become-a-teacher