A new program at the University of Nevada, Reno is churning out more science and math teachers. Reno Public Radio’s Marcus Lavergne has more.
At UNR, several colleges have joined forces to turn STEM majors into skilled science and math teachers, in light of the significant statewide shortage.
NevadaTeach, which was implemented last fall, gets students teaching in real classrooms during their first few semesters. Ultimately, those students can earn a secondary teaching certification while completing their bachelor's.
Glenn Waddell is one of the program’s master teachers. He says it can help students get into the field as soon as possible.
“This millennial generation,” Waddell said, “they’re very much involved in giving back to the community and being involved in charitable causes, and not that teaching is a charitable cause, but it’s a cause they can really get involved in and see how they’re making an impact immediately in people’s lives.”
Students in the program are teaching in 11 schools in Washoe County.