Wytheville Community College (WCC) is taking steps to address Virginia’s public teacher shortage, a trend that is nationwide and not unique to the state.
According to the Virginia Department of Education, citing survey results from EdWeek Research Center, “Nationally, 40 percent of school division leaders and principals describe this current staff shortage as ‘severe’ or ‘very severe’” (“Turning the Tide”). The future of our region’s education programs is not dim, however, according to Susan Evans, WCC Dean of Transfer and Educational Partnerships. Evans says, “I like to think that every crisis presents an opportunity. The current severe shortage of teachers encouraged the Virginia Department of Education, higher education teacher preparation programs, and local school divisions to come together to provide less costly and time-consuming pathways to teacher licensure. The current teacher shortage is creating conversations about how to retain quality teacher preparation while expediting the process to licensure. At WCC we are investing in our school divisions by increasing our education course offerings and aligning our Associates degree, beginning with high school dual enrollment courses through seamless transfer to a four-year institution.”
WCC hired a full-time education instructor, Jennifer Nunley, to lead the program. Nunley stated, “Our goal from the beginning was to partner with our local school districts in an effort to cultivate quality teacher candidates. We began our journey with a summer orientation that included a local district job fair and has continued by placing over 50 students in field observation within our local schools. We are also partnering with our local school districts by bringing valuable and relevant activities, like our Culturally Responsive Teaching Panel Discussion held during the fall semester. Several school educators and administrators from our region came to talk with our students on the WCC campus. The amazing and dedicated educators that volunteered their time to speak with our education students were able to provide real world insights into what teaching is like in the classroom post COVID.”
WCC’s program is in alignment with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) strategic plan, and also aligns with “Turning the Tide,” a statewide strategic plan by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) designed to help students overcome barriers for receiving teacher education and training. WCC’s goal is to pave the way for future students who want to receive Virginia K-12 teaching licensure, and to keep these bright new teachers in our service region. Evans also worked closely with the VCCS to offer classes through WCC for those teachers who are currently working with provisional licenses. “Teachers hired by local school systems have the opportunity to complete four courses required for Virginia state licensure here on WCC’s campus,” Evans said. “The courses that WCC is providing satisfy Board of Education professional studies requirements and include EDU 200: Foundations of Education, EDU 207: Human Growth and Development, EDU 206: Classroom Management, and EDU 250: Foundations of Special Education.”
WCC Education student, Johnee Bentley, said of the Culturally Responsive Teaching Panel Discussion, “The panel discussion really opened my eyes as to why it’s important that college students who want to be future teachers attend classes that teach the importance of creating a culturally inclusive classroom. My main takeaways from the panel discussion would be to always keep an open mind and never assume anything. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and try your best to build community, not only in the classroom, but outside of it as well.” Bentley’s classmate, Nicole Brooks, added, “The entire experience was amazing. It made me feel more at ease about my choice to follow a teaching career and even more determined and excited to get a classroom of my own.”
Students interested in WCC’s Education Program may contact Susan Evans at (276) 223-4740, or sevans@wcc.vccs.edu.
Photos: (1) Culturally Responsive Educators Panel: Dr. Kimberly Williams, Smyth County Director of Elementary Instruction; Jeff Lyerly, Special Education teacher at Scott Memorial Middle School in Wythe County; Sara Jo Goines, first grade teacher at Jackson Memorial Elementary School in Wythe County; Crystal Evans, English Language and Gifted & Talented Teacher in Wythe County; Dr. Samantha Reed, Principal at Hillsville Elementary School in Carroll County; Susan Tilley, Superintendent of Galax City Schools
(2) Jennifer Nunley, WCC Assistant Professor of Education
Source: “Turning the Tide: A Strategic Plan to Address the Educator Shortage.” Virginia Department of Education, www.doe.virginia.gov/teaching-learning-assessment.