Accelerated courses help adults become teachers

By TIFFANNIE BOND

VIEW STAFF WRITER

A teacher shortage in the Clark County School District resulted

in the hiring of more than 1,703 new teachers this year.

It also has attracted schools that specialize in accelerated courses that help working adults become employed teachers.

Although Regis University moved into the Green Valley area in August 1999, it's already undergoing changes to adapt to the growing shortage. Beginning Jan. 8, accelerated courses will be offered to nontraditional college students to get them out into the classrooms in two years.

Instead of giving up jobs and family life, students attend classes at night and finish quicker than if they attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The eight-week courses allow students to attend school once a week for four hours. The concentrated study depends on the motivation of the students, but it takes half the time to complete than if the same goal was achieved at UNLV.

"You can do a master's here in two years and keep your job. You can continue with your life," said Charlotte Bentley, Regis campus director. "You do a lot of reading and a lot of writing, and you focus in on it intensely. You do that for eight weeks then you're done."

The accelerated program is geared toward those seeking their master's in education, master's in liberal studies or master's in business degrees. This includes those who want to change their careers, finish what they started or add to their education.

"In our modern world, in our modern economy, people weren't able to follow the model of being 18 to 22 years old, live in a dorm and go to school," Bentley said.

The accelerated program didn't come along soon enough for a school district forced to recruit during the winter months, a sign there's no relief on the horizon.

"We've never had to do that in the winter before," said George Ann Rice, school district assistant superintendent for the human resources division. "It's getting harder and harder, tighter and tighter."

Although more than 1,000 new teachers began teaching Aug. 28, 397 rejected offers because of undesirable salaries. Where states such as Texas and California offer their new teachers signing bonuses and pay college debt for state school graduates, Nevada offers nothing.

"One of the problems that we have is our salaries are no longer competitive and we don't have incentives," Rice said. "We have to be competitive, salary wise, if we're going to attract good teachers."

The lack of good teachers is one reason the Denver-based university built its first permanent extension site in Clark County.

Bentley said the program, however accelerated, provides attention that the large class sizes and student-to-teacher ratios at UNLV can't provide.

"A lot of (students) choose a school like ours because of the one-to-one basis. They're not just a number," Bentley said. "(UNLV's) mission is not to serve this corner of the world; our mission is."

Because of Regis' working students, the school's convenience is the key. For students who want to study something not included in the course catalog, a field professional can be called in to oversee individuals or small groups. Students can tailor half their degree in this manner, helping them through the program and on with their lives.

The school also houses a book store, computer lab and plenty of room for their 110-student population to grow.

Five years ago, Regis University's location would've been a detriment, but with new pieces of the Las Vegas Beltway opening, the Green Valley Parkway and Interstate 215 location is prime placement.

"That really has made a difference," Bentley said. "For busy, working adults, convenience is priority."

Tuition varies depending on the degree. Those interested can call the admissions office at 990-0376.