By Stephen Smoot, The Pendleton Times
FRANKLIN, W.Va. — As Pendleton County Schools continue a strong rebound from issues imposed by COVID, officials continue to identify the shortage of certified teachers as a key barrier to further improvements.
Over a century ago in remote areas, teachers often honed those skills before they graduated from the eighth grade. One or other limited room schoolhouses often relied on a single teacher to lead all education. That teacher would generally rely on older students to teach the younger children, which also reinforced both their knowledge and technique.
By the time those seeking to teach completed their final grade in school (normally eighth in those days) they were considered experienced enough to teach school in very remote and rural areas.
“Educators Rising” restores the essence of that dynamic in hands-on ways, starting their teacher education before their teachers have finished teaching them. It works hand-in-hand with Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College’s “Grow Your Own” program that enables teacher education to start during a student’s high school years.
Aspiring teachers can reach their sophomore year before graduating from high school through attending and passing “dual credit” courses that provide simultaneous high school and college credit. Credits earned from EWVCTC will transfer to other state schools’ programs, too.
Upon graduation and attaining their 18th birthday, program participants may qualify to work as teacher aides. They can also take examinations to demonstrate skills mastery for work consideration.
