The Southern Illinois Future Teachers Coalition has been recognized with the Award of Special Recognition in the Team category through the Those Who Excel and Teacher of the Year program from the Illinois State Board of Education. ISBE received a record number of nominations and applications.
SIFTC is a regional collaborative partnership working to address the teacher shortage that is being experienced in the state and nationally with targeted programming at the local level in southern Illinois. The SIFTC partnership is between John A. Logan College, Shawnee Community College, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the Illinois State Board of Education and 14 southern Illinois high schools — Anna-Jonesboro (represented by Lindsey Sommer), Carterville (Noah Coleman and Kaci Clark), Century (Ashley Dexter), Cobden (Karen Engelmann), Dongola (Lorna Ferguson), Frankfort (Amanda Niehbch), Herrin (Amber George and Amanda Hickman), Johnston City (Ryan Shick), Joppa (Ethan May), Marion (Tina Barger and Deanna Hudgens), Massac (Tony Cardon), Meridian (Marleis Trover and Alex Washam), Shawnee (Karen Shafer and Beth Marks) and Vienna (Leslie Bradley).
The regional coalition is led by Brooke May and Leslie Bradley serving as the coordinators, along with SIU research assistant Val Clodi. Vienna serves as the administrative school.
“This group of educational professionals have worked tirelessly to sponsor Educators Rising Clubs, recruit students who have an interest in education as a possible career and to mentor these students in their journeys to gain more knowledge about the education profession,” said Joshua Stafford, school superintendent at Vienna High School.
Through the means of their Educators Rising Club meetings, students are given opportunities to explore various careers in education through guest speakers and through hands-on classroom observations. Students also have opportunities to plan curriculum for student-led enrichment camps for local elementary students, experience peer teaching opportunities and engage in field trips and college tours.
The coalition has also established ISBE-approved career and college pathways and offer students dual credit education course work.
Since being initiated, “SIFTC has experienced significant growth,” Stafford said, noting participation has increased to over 300 students experiencing interests in an educational career.
“Ensuring that we have quality teachers in all classrooms is undoubtedly an issue that can be aided by state and federal policy, but the most vital ingredient to meeting this goal are current teachers in the field,” Stafford said. “This group of educators is creating a legacy that is having and will have a meaningful impact on our region for generations to come. Southern Illinois students and the region are fortunate to have this group of leaders.”
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