The event is for students in the TechTeach Across Rural Texas program.
WHAT: The Texas Tech University College of Education will host its "Match Day" for participants in the TechTeach Across Rural Texas teacher preparation program.
WHEN: 2 p.m. Monday (April 29)
WHERE: College of Education building, room 253
EVENT: Aspiring educators entering the TechTeach Across Rural Texas teacher preparation program will participate in a ceremony marking the start of a year of job-embedded training in rural schools. Students will open envelopes revealing the school district where they will train for a full year starting this fall.
At the ceremony, 22 candidates will be matched with eight independent school districts in Brownfield, Crosbyton, Fayetteville, Floydada, Hamlin, Roosevelt, Slaton and Tahoka.
TechTeach Across Rural Texas prepares teachers specifically for rural schools, which often struggle to recruit and retain high-quality teachers. It aims to build a pipeline of teacher talent by selecting and training students with rural community ties. Additionally, a $15,000 stipend helps eliminate barriers facing aspiring teachers.
A key feature of the program is a full year of co-teaching alongside a mentor, which is much longer than the minimum 14 weeks of student teaching required for teacher licensure under state law. Texas Tech faculty members who are based in the districts provide coaching.
CONTACT: Robert Stein, media relations specialist, College of Education, Texas Tech University, (806) 834-7758 or robert.stein@ttu.edu