Alternative Careers in Teaching

1. Alternative Careers in Teaching Fifth Annual NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program ConferenceJuly 7-9, 2010Washington, DC

2. Background of act! Program • an alternative teacher preparation program leading to initial licensure in Mathematics or Broadfield Science (grades 6-12) • a collaborative program between several UW Colleges and UW Oshkosh • UW Colleges include Fox Valley, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Marinette, Sheboygan and Waukesha • approved as an alternative teacher preparation program by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, meets all PI-34 statutory requirements

3. How the act! alternative program differs from UW Oshkosh’s traditional degree program • Wisconsin license received is the same for both paths • act! students are non-traditional and already have a 4-year degree • Typically act! students are older, having years of industry or other experience • act! program takes less time to complete than the traditional 4-year education program • act! program is more flexible (online, evening course offering) • act! gives credit for relevant life experience • act! is a less expensive option for non-traditional students who already have the investment in a degree

4. Program Requirements • Students enter with a 4-year degree in a Math or Science field. The program is a post-baccalaureate Wisconsin licensure program. • 81 students entered with BA or BS degrees • 18 students entered with MS or MBA degrees • 4 students entered with PhD, DC or JD degrees • Students enter with 5 years of work experience in a math or science field.

5. Program Phases • Phase I – Admission (UW Fox Valley) • Assessment of undergraduate and graduate transcripts • Evaluation of resume, work experience and applicant statement • Interview with Program Coordinator • Letter of Acceptance outlining specific program requirements • Evidence of clear Criminal Background Check and TB screening (UW Oshkosh)

6. Program Phases • Phase II – Coursework, PRAXIS I & II, and a Professional Portfolio • Completion of EDU 211 Orientation within first year of admission to the act! program (UW Fox Valley) • Praxis I • Praxis II – content knowledge • Completion of content course and education course requirements (UW Colleges and UW Oshkosh) • Phase III – Student Teaching (UW Oshkosh) • 18 weeks full time, full days • 9 weeks in Middle School and 9 weeks in High School

7. Required Courses • Most act! students are required to take some content in an area not covered by their undergraduate work. • Content coursework typically taken at UW Colleges and/or UW Oshkosh • Can offer equivalent life experience to cover content requirements. • Education Course Requirements • act! orientation (covers how to complete the Wisconsin educators portfolio) • Concepts, Issues and Field Experience in Education; Educational Psychology; The Exceptional Individual

8. Required Courses • Reading in the Content Area • Offered only at UW Oshkosh as this is a 400 level course • Math Methods or Science Methods • Offered only at UW Oshkosh as this is a 400 level course • Student Teaching • Placement/cooperating teachers are coordinated through UW Oshkosh

9. Transcript Review ~ Sciences

10. Transcript Review ~ Mathematics

11. Noyce Scholars Program • National Science Foundation • Two Robert C. Noyce awards totaling $1.5 million • $10,000 stipend based on academic qualifications • Seventeen Noyce awards of $10,000 each have been awarded to act! students • Average age of the Noyce recipients is 46 years old • Students agree to teach in high need schools for 2 years after completion of program Funding for the Robert C. Noyce awards is provided by National Science Foundation grants DUE-0833324 and DUE-0934682.

12. Kim Poli – Noyce Recipient • Lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin. • Has undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Mechanical Engineering. • Work experience includes design, project management, supervision, tutoring, and is also a small business owner.

13. Kim Poli “I entered the act! program because the program gave credit for work and life experience, as well as courses taken in my undergraduate programs.” “The Robert C. Noyce stipend allowed me to make student teaching a top priority – taking some of the financial pressure away during this important and challenging time.”

14. Cindy Schaefer-Kemps • Wife and mother of two, resides in Menasha, Wisconsin. • Holds BS degree with majors in Biology and Anthropology. • Experience includes product development, hospital laboratory, substitute teaching, and volunteer work.

15. Cindy Schaefer-Kemps “I believe that I will be a better teacher because I was fortunate enough to receive the Robert C. Noyce grant. I was able to complete the program requirements earlier due to the act! program. I did not have to hold off taking courses due to financial constraints.” “I am able to seek more professional development and was able to student teach with less stress and more time – making the experience a high quality one.”

16. Program Data

17. Program Completers • Follow up on the 24 students who have completed the act! initial licensure program • 5 are teaching Math full time • 6 are teaching Science full time • 6 are teaching part-time or substitute teaching • 1 started a tutoring business • 1 seeking licensure in another state (relocated) • 2 teaching at college level – Math and Biology • 3 unknown

18. Current Areas Served Areas currently served by act! program Proposed expansion of the act! program

19. Issues for Discussion • Repayment of Noyce • Choosing not to enter the workforce for a period of time • can a recipient determine when the “clock starts?” • Moving out of state and determining high need schools in other states • Geographic restrictions – some students are constrained to certain areas due to family obligations • How does teaching in “alternative” contexts like correctional facilities, tutoring, and after-school programs fit in with Noyce? • Merging Noyce with SMARTT or other grant programs