Claire Brown’s recent Daily article (9/30/10), “In Focus: Why is everybody at Northwestern joining Teach for America?” was well-written and informative. However, I feel light needs to be brought to Northwestern’s own Alternative Teacher Certification Program, NU-TEACH.
NU-TEACH’s director and Founder, Sylvia Smith-DeMuth, established the program in 1998. Over the past 13 years, NU-TEACH has educated hundreds of talented teachers who teach in Chicago elementary, middle and high schools.
The program is an intensive twelve-month, three-phase course of study that prepares career changers and recent baccalaureates to teach in public and parochial Schools in high need urban areas. The intention is to encourage individuals with non-education degrees who have a desire to teach, who possess a strong knowledge base (content and subject matter mastery) and the ability to help students learn.
NU-TEACH interns who successfully complete the initial three phases are given eight NU/MSED course equivalencies. For those NU-TEACH students who wish to continue along the MSED track, and are accepted into the MSED program, these eight course requirements are waived.
The three-year retention rate for teachers who completed the NU-TEACH Program is nearly 90 percent. This far exceeds the estimated three-year national average of 54 percent, and is almost four times higher than the estimated retention rate of 24 percent in high poverty areas. (Ms. Brown cited a New York Times study that puts the fourth-year retention rate in New York City schools at an alarmingly low 15%).
Over the past thirteen years, the program has produced the 2010 Presidential Award winner in mathematics from the state of Illinois, twenty-five National Board Certified teachers (one achieving the highest score in the Board’s history, and several receiving outstanding mention), two Golden Apple Award winners, two Golden Apple Teachers of Excellence, the 2010 Intel Star Innovator Award Winner and numerous other educational award winners.
The retention rates and ongoing professional involvement in education are compelling evidence that the NU-TEACH Program has an effective platform for preparing teachers who view teaching as a career and are dedicated to serving urban students in underserved areas.
The NU-TEACH Program does require a four-year commitment after the initial twelve-month term is completed. The program is intended for those participants who want to make teaching a life-long endeavor. I strongly encourage Northwestern graduates who want to teach to consider applying to the NU-TEACH program. Tuition assistance and a limited number of donor fellowships are available to qualified candidates.
Mark Glenn, NU-TEACH Administrative Coordinator
