TechTeach Across Texas prepares teachers with the skills needed to succeed in the classroom.
As the Texas population continues to increase, so does the demand for qualified educators. Most first-year teachers are excited to take on their first classroom, yet upon arrival, one in three report feeling unprepared for the job. Supply and demand entered a critical stage in 2015 when thousands of teachers were rushed into the workforce with minimal experience and support. It was during this time Texas Tech University decided to transform its teacher training program.
Allan Golston, president of U.S. Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, recently wrote an opinion-editorial for the Huffington Post titled "Thanking Teachers by Supporting Them from Day One." The piece commended Texas Tech's fast-track, competency-based program called TechTeach Across Texas , which enables students to complete a Bachelor of Science degree and earn teacher certification in one calendar year.
Under the leadership of Scott Ridley, dean of the College of Education, district and community partnerships were created, putting teachers and students in a position to succeed. New teacher candidates are now placed in classrooms during their first semester, working closely with mentors to improve the achievement of their students throughout the program. The candidates receive support and specific feedback aimed at improving those teaching behaviors.
TechTeach earned top marks from the National Council on Teacher Quality, placing it in the top 35 programs in the nation.
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