COLLINSVILLE, IL (KMOX) - The challenge of recruiting enough teachers is leading one local school district to grow its own. The Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 is creating new high school curriculum and financial incentives to encourage graduates to pursue degrees in education. The long-term plan is to offer those grads some reimbursement of college expenses, if they return to Collinsville classrooms to teach.
District Superintendent Dr. Brad Skertich says "Kahoks Teaching Kahoks" developed from efforts by the Kahok Diversity & Equity Committee to recruit teachers who better reflect the make up of the student population. 55% of students in the district are white, 26% hispanic, 15% black, and a small percentage multi-racial. Staff is 95% white, something Skertich says is common around the country. "In looking at this scholarship and recruiting students down this path I think we can bring some students of color and diverse backgrounds to our classrooms." Skertich adds, "I think it's vital for students to see themselves in their classroom, in their books, and in their teachers, and that's something that research shows... ...students perform better." The challenge, says Skertich, is that there are few young people of color or diverse backgrounds entering the education field.
Scholarship recipients will receive $1000/year toward their college expenses for four years.
A release from the district says Ameren Illinois has donated $25,000 to the scholarship fund. The grant funds were made available through the Ameren Cares program. Skertich tells KMOX other community leaders have already stepped up to add to those funds. Plus, staff in the district can contribute through payroll deduction.
The courses that will be offered through Collinsville High School and the Collinsville Area Vocational Center include Early Childhood Education, Teaching as a Profession, and Child Development and Instruction. "To give all students who want to go into education a chance to take courses, do some abbreviated student teaching while they're in high school," explains Skertich. Some are eligible for dual high school/college credit at Southwestern Illinois College.
Related
@2021 Audacy (KMOX). All rights reserved.