The number of students completing educator preparation programs at Colorado colleges and universities continues to decline, but programs at Lamar Community College can help southeastern Colorado fill its workforce with qualified educators.
According to the 2016 Legislative Educator Preparation Report, those completing programs in order to work in education has declined by 2.2 percent to 2,472. This is the sixth straight year the number of people joining the workforce as teachers and administrators has fallen.
According to the report, rural districts continue to have difficulty recruiting and retaining teachers. The overall teacher shortage continues to have a dramatic impact on rural districts, particularly those throughout the eastern plains.
The report, which is submitted annually to the Joint Education Committee of the General Assembly and required by law, is drafted by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
Lamar Community College recently reinstated two degrees including Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Elementary Education (EE), both of which can help interested individuals get the start they need to become an educator and reverse this shortage of teachers and administrators.
While these degrees can be obtained from Lamar Community College, some of the courses must be taken online. However, LCC has the ability to tailor the program to the student, depending on the four-year institution to which they intend to transfer.
Because of the flexibility of these programs, interested individuals are highly encouraged to meet with an advisor prior to registering for classes to ensure that all their courses will transfer seamlessly to their chosen four-year institution.
“With our degree pathways into K-12 and Early Childhood Education, LCC is ready to help students study to become teachers and to work with our communities to ‘grow their own’ future teachers,” said Dr. Linda Lujan, LCC president. “It’s a rewarding career pathway and one that has a powerful impact on the success of future generations. I’m pleased LCC is able to offer this opportunity to interested students.”
In addition to the necessary degree programs, Lamar Community College also has scholarship opportunities for those who want to become teachers. Specifically, individuals majoring in education receive preference for the Quarterly Forum scholarships, alongside career and technical education (CTE) students and those who are first generation or from a diverse population.
To learn more about scholarship opportunities or to apply, visit www.lamarcc.edu/scholarships.
To explore the ECE and EE programs at Lamar Community College, contact LCC Student Services at 719.336.1590 or information@lamarcc.edu in order to set up an appointment with an advisor.