A new Wichita State University initiative aims to address the critical shortage of educators in special education and elementary classrooms.
The “Teacher Education Pathways” initiative recently received $97,000 from the Kansas Board of Regents.
The grant funding will allow the College of Applied Studies’ Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP), elementary education and early childhood programs the ability to get Teacher Education Pathways off the ground.
The new program is set to begin in the Fall of 2023, and hopes to provide smoother pathways for students pursuing Kansas licensure in elementary education and early childhood. WSU will collaborate closely with Butler Community College and WSU Tech to establish a new scholarship and pathway opportunities for undergraduates seeking initial teacher licensure.
The program will also introduction scholarships designed to support high school students, Butler and WSU Tech students, and incoming WSU transfer students interested in a teaching career.
The initial scholarships will be aimed at Kansas high school students to cover the cost of the introduction to education course at Butler or WSU Tech.
The second line of scholarships will be awarded to WSU transfer students from Butler or WSU Tech, who can apply for the $1,000 Shocker Teacher Scholarship specifically for students in the TAP, elementary education or early childhood programs at Wichita State.
