A need for teachers is prompting new options to fill those spots.
An event hosted by the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence is hoping to help aspiring teachers and close the gap of teacher shortages in the metro area. The event was held at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the Waldo Branch Public Library.
Organizers of the event say candidates will receive materials to prepare for two exams. One is to test their skills in instructional methods. The other is to test their skills in the subject they’re interested in.
Andrea Flinders with the Kansas City Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel say teaching is not an easy task, and shortages happen due to various reasons.
“Teaching is hard. Teaching's difficult and it doesn't pay very well. Nationally, teachers have been bashed,” she said. “I think people are looking at that career as something like, 'you know what? I don't want to be disrespected. I don't want the country talking about this career choice.'”
As school districts look to fill their classroom with educators, Flinders says the bigger issue is retaining them.
“After four or five or six years, most of those teachers have left,” Flinders said. “They've either left for other districts or they’ve left teaching and I think that's a critical piece that we really need to look at. “
Rusty Powlas, Division Chair of Math Physics and Education, said when it comes to teaching, it’s an honest conversation up front with those future educators.
“This isn't something that you walk into and get your certificate and then ‘I've got a job,’ you're working with students,” Powlas said. “You're being with them, you care and hopefully that's something that's a long-term deal.”
The demand is high in cities and rural areas. Educators say with teaching, you have to have a passion for it.
“Take your classes, take your experiences seriously,” Powlas said. “Do gut checks. I look at it as a career, it's not just a job.”
“It has to be something inside you that you know you have to teach, want to teach,” Flinders said.
