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Journal-News: New program brings more future teachers from Miami to Middletown

In this article, Journal-News Staff Writer Michael D. Clark speaks with officials from Miami University and Middletown City School District about a new program that puts first-year “education majors from Miami University into Middletown Schools for their first taste of their coming careers.”

To read the full article, click here.

New program brings more future teachers from Miami to Middletown
April 2, 2021
By Michael D. Clark, Journal-News Staff Writer

“A new program is putting education majors from Miami University into Middletown Schools for their first taste of their coming careers… 

“And it’s also creating a possible, future teacher applicant pipeline to help staff the city schools...

“The state-funded ‘pilot teacher licensure program’ began in February… 

“First up for them was a tour of Middletown’s neighborhoods and some of its history… 

“The city-wide visits were all the better to understand the students, their needs and the career opportunities in the 6,300-student city school system… 

“‘MCSD and MU began this partnership with the main goal of introducing teaching candidates to the actual classroom their freshman year in college and participate in a solid field experience,’ said Deborah Houser, senior director of Human Resources for the district… 

“And ideally, their first classroom will be within the 10 public schools of Middletown… 

“Middletown Schools also has the opportunity to meet and recruit these exceptional teachers early in their college years...The partnership is a win-win for Miami University and Middletown… 

“Since the 2017 hiring of Middletown Superintendent Marlon Styles Jr...the district’s teacher and other staffers’ retention rate has risen each year and now stands at 95 percent… 

“School officials said at the end of the program, teacher education majors will receive licenses in both elementary and special education, pre-kindergarten through 5th grade, in four years… 

“Miami University freshman and education major Lindsey Brinkman said she appreciates this first-time program.

“‘You can learn about different things in education in a classroom setting but going to an actual classroom is a really different experience…’ said Brinkman… 

“‘And it’s made me pretty confident about my decision for an education major.’”

 Full Article