OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – As schools around the state struggle to find qualified special education teachers, UW-Oshkosh is aiming for a different type of student to bring in for a new graduate level teaching program.
The new program focuses on educating and training Tier One emergency licensed special education teachers. While the courses are online, Professor Denise Clark says it feels more like a classroom setting.
“This is actual face to face online, real time, synchronous courses,” Clark says.
There aren’t quite enough undergraduates entering the field right now, so Clark says the classes aim to draw in fresh recruits.
“We need more teachers and we need to look at folks who are already in the workforce who might be willing to change careers. We designed this class so that it would work with working professionals,” Clark tells WTAQ News, “if folks are considering it, it’s not as hard as they think to come back and to get into the field. It’s an area that’s really needed.”
But she also warns those who think it’s just something to do to change things up.
“There is a very high burnout rate. And if they come into it just because it’s a job, they’re not going to last very long.”
Clark points out the program also tailors to those who may already have experience in the field.
“We look at the person’s history and what their experiences are. If they can demonstrate those competencies, we can change some of the actual requirements,” Clark says, “we look at what their practices are right now and how they improve the practices they’re doing rather than saying ‘here are some generic lessons of things we think are important.’”
