New Wichita State partnership with WSU Tech and Butler will help critical teacher
shortage
July 5, 2023
By WSU Strategic Communications
College of Applied Studies
When it comes to producing qualified educators, athletic trainers, exercise scientists
and sport management professionals — nobody offers more than Wichita State's College
of Applied Studies.
A new Wichita State University initiative is aimed at addressing the critical shortage
of educators in special education and elementary classrooms.
The initiative, called Teacher Education Pathways, recently received $97,000 from
the Kansas Board of Regents.
The grant funding will allow the College of Applied Studies’ Teacher Apprentice Program
(TAP), elementary education and early childhood programs the ability to get Teacher
Education Pathways off the ground.
The new program — which will start in fall 2023 — will provide smoother pathways for
students pursuing Kansas licensure in elementary education and early childhood. WSU
will collaborate closely with Butler Community College and WSU Tech to establish a
new scholarship and pathway for undergraduates seeking initial teacher licensure.
A key highlight of the program is the introduction of scholarships designed to support
high school students, Butler and WSU Tech students, as well as incoming WSU transfer
students interested in a teaching career.
The initial scholarship will be aimed at Kansas high school students to cover the
cost of the introduction to education course at Butler or WSU Tech.
The second line of scholarships will be awarded to WSU transfer students from Butler
or WSU Tech, who can apply for the $1,000 Shocker Teacher Scholarship specifically
for students in the TAP, elementary education or early childhood programs at Wichita
State.
CAS Assistant Professor Dr. Julie Thiele, who is leading this initiative for WSU,
says Wichita State is poised to make an even more significant impact on teacher education
by creating these new opportunities for aspiring educators.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant to collaborate with Butler CC and WSU Tech
to strengthen the pathways from student to teacher and address the critical vacancies
in special education and elementary classrooms,” she says. “Our aim is to provide
a quality education for all students."
Casey McGraw, lead education instructor at Butler Community College, says she’s excited
for this new program and its benefits.
“We are ecstatic to start this partnership with WSU that gives future educators the
opportunity to get a jump start on their careers in this most crucial field,” she
said. “Together, we will provide quality learning experiences to help build tomorrow’s
teachers.”
Dr. Jennifer Seymour, vice president of General Education and Applied Technologies
at WSU Tech, says the partnership will greatly benefit students by providing foundational
knowledge that will prepares them to transfer to WSU and complete their education.
“The funds from the grant will help offset some of the out-of-pocket expenses for
students, making it easier for them to persist to graduation,” she says.
About Wichita State University
Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling
almost 22,000 students between its main campus and WSU Tech, including students from
every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are
recognized for being student centered and innovation driven.
Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in
the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM),
Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of
applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the Wichita State University main campus, is one
of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing
over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
