95.3 / 88.5 FM Grand Rapids and 95.3 FM Muskegon
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New West Michigan collaborative addresses area teacher shortage

$19 million grant from Michigan Department of Education provides support for teaching initiative.

The West Michigan Teacher Collaborative focuses on recruiting, training, and retaining the next generation of teachers.

Laura Castle is Kent ISD Director of Teacher Development.

“We were eager to put together a proposal that did two things; one, added more teachers to the pipeline but, two and maybe most importantly, made sure that those teachers were high-quality and highly trained and highly skilled.”

The Michigan Department of Education approving a $19 million grant.

Now Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa County Area Intermediate School Districts are seeking more than 300 ambitious or existing teachers to enroll in one of three programs.

  • People without a Bachelor’s degree who would like to earn one and become a teacher.
  • People with a Bachelor’s degree who are looking to switch to a teaching career.
  • Current educators seeking additional credentials through advanced degrees.

Grand Valley State University’s College of Education and Community Innovation provides the curriculum.

Participants will be eligible for stipends up to $20,000 and all tuition, fees and supplies will be covered.

Morgan Dailey is West Michigan Teacher Collaborative Coordinator.

“Talking with candidates now, they’re excited that this is an option for them. And I think this is something that they’ve always wanted to do. So, it’s getting to their goals and dreams.”

To learn more visit teachwestmichigan.org

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.