11/14/11 jgm

HAYS, Kan. -- The Transition to Teaching Program at Fort Hays State University was recently awarded a five-year sub-award totaling more than $400,000. The sub-award is a component of Ohio State University's $5 million grant to build a network of partner universities that will support alternative licensure.

T2T is designed to fill middle- and high-school teaching vacancies in districts through an alternate route to teacher licensure. It includes recruiting and training individuals with a bachelor's degree in a content area seeking a career change to enter the teaching profession.

Beginning teachers in the T2T program are provided with mentors by their school districts. School and university personnel collaborate to help these new teachers meet state standards and provide support in completing the program as well as mentoring in the day-to-day art of teaching.

"The alternative licensure program is designed for those with a bachelor's degree in a content area to gain licensure in teaching," said Dr. Germaine Taggart, chair of the Department of Teacher Education. "While they are teaching in the districts, they are taking the pedagogy coursework. They are learning how to teach on the job."

She said the grant will help the program support new T2T teachers through scholarships and provide money to develop mentoring and supervisor modules that can be used across the nation.

"The grant will also help us promote our online program to Kansas career changers and those in other states," said Taggart.

For more information on obtaining a licensure through the Fort Hays State University Transition to Teaching program, contact Dr. Taggart at gtaggart@fhsu.edu or the program specialist, Brandie Bieker, at bmbieker@fhsu.edu.