Program develops teachers

     By Tina Allen
     View staff writer
      A Clark County School District magnet program is offering an attractive package to high school students hoping to become educators.
      The Teacher Education Academy of Clark High School is giving students a jump on their career goals.
      "The district plan is called Students Today ... Educators Tomorrow," said Karen Steen, magnet theme coordinator at Clark. "And again, the mission is to try to challenge students to choose teaching as their career of choice. Kids are making those career choices at eighth and ninth grade."
      The School District's growth and demand for teachers in upcoming years is a predominant force behind the program, which is aimed at having the students attend local colleges and employing them in the district upon college graduation.
      Since 1991, the number of teachers the School District has hired each year has jumped from 800 to 1,700 and growing.
      That demand is becoming a national trend, as well. It is estimated by 2008, schools in the United States will need to hire more than 2.2 million teachers to serve growing student enrollments and replace a considerable number of teachers expected to retire in coming years.
      Program officials are working with UNLV and the Community College of Southern Nevada; however, Steen said because the program is in its first year, much of what they are currently doing is planning for the future because the students are still freshmen. However, she said she does foresee students in the program receiving college credit for some courses they are taking or having certain introductory college courses waived.
      Glenn Cooper, director of the district's Magnet School Project, said: "These students, when they complete the program will be highly competitive in secondary schools."
      The program provides an academic-based pre-university curriculum, including classes such as Management in Teaching; Human Development and Learning; and Issues in Education.
      In addition, an internship is in the plans, which will enable seniors actual field experience in local schools.
      "The internship is going to be designed keeping the student foremost in mind," Steen said. "Now that they've been through all these methods of management courses and have done all these observations, what do they think they might want to teach -- what grade level.
      "We will do our best to place them at that grade level with a teacher who has been a proven role model in the district from recommendations from teachers and supervisors at their school."
      As with all magnet programs in the district, students are required to commit to the program for at least one year. But what happens if students decide after completing the program that teaching is not the route they want to pursue?
      "I'd rather have them change their minds during high school when it's free," Steen said. "They are not paying for the credits, it's free."
      "And the other neat thing about the teacher academy is even if you don't want to be a teacher when you get out, the program will have taught you presentation skills, gotten you away from the fear of being in front of anybody, and hopefully taught you more compassion for human race and children and parents. It's some skills that they can use in other careers if they choose to go elsewhere."
      The Clark County School District has six high school magnet programs.
      Cooper said students who apply should have a strong interest in the specific program they are applying, and should be highly motivated, self-disciplined and have strong parental support, which is the No. 1 factor in the success of a child's education. In addition, they are required to meet certain criteria.
      Historically, school districts throughout the United States began to employ magnet schools as a way to desegregate school systems in the late 1970s. They were often placed in racially isolated neighborhoods to encourage students of other races to enroll. In addition to reducing minority group isolation, the schools are focused on improving student achievement and creating an awareness of career opportunities.
      Those interested in the program can call Steen at 799-5800, Ext. 220. Those interested in other magnet programs can call Cooper at 799-5479.