What are future teachers programs?
In the twentieth century, the National Education Association (NEA) started Future Teachers of America (FTA) and/or Future Educators of America (FEA) programs and, today, local and state affiliates offer one or more of the following:
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FTA/FEA clubs assist middle and high school students in exploring teaching as a career choice, provide a realistic understanding of teaching, and encourage students from diverse backgrounds to think seriously about the teaching profession.
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FTA/FEA academies integrate a structured curriculum with classroom-based activities to prepare high school students for college teacher preparation programs.
"There is no issue that is more important to NEA
...New Hampshire and the teaching profession than the recruitment and retention of qualified individuals to the teaching profession. The Future Educators Academy is very important for the educational, social, and economic betterment of the citizens and children of this state and country."
-Karen McDonough, president
NEA New Hampshire
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Why should my affiliate be involved in future teachers programs?
Future Teachers of America (FTA) and Future Educators of America (FEA) programs can connect students in middle and high school levels with NEA Student Program Chapters sponsored by local and state affiliates. FTA/FEA clubs and academies help prepare future educators for the classroom as they become involved at the local, state, and national levels of the Association. They learn the value of being part of a professional association that advocates on behalf of children and public education.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics:
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3.9 million teachers will be needed by the year 2014.
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One third of all new teachers leave the profession in the first three years.
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One half of all new teachers leave within the first five years.
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About 14 percent of all teachers are ethnic minorities.
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Only 9 percent of elementary school teachers are male.
Who is involved and how do they benefit?
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MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS explore and experience teaching as a primary career choice.
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TEACHERS examine, clarify, and explain their impact on students' lives and the nation's future.
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SCHOOLS offer new avenues of communication about the profession and its place in the community.
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COMMUNITIES "grow their own" future teachers and raise the status of the education profession in the eyes of their citizens.
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COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES expand the pool of qualified applicants to teacher preparation programs and provide early identification of potentially excellent future teachers.
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STATE AND LOCAL AFFILIATES build a bridge to business, civic, community, and education partners
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"When my Nephew, Gavin, changed elementary schools and entered the 6th grade in a new school, he had his first male teacher. I will never forget when he said to me, "Auntie Gail, I didn't know men could teach!"
-- Gail Watts, California Teachers Association
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What steps would we take to implement a future teachers program?
One:
Conduct an assessment of state, regional and local needs. Consider the following:
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teacher recruitment and retention issues
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enrollment data in post-secondary teacher preparation programs
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state and local critical teacher shortage areas
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type of program you want to provide (club or academy)
Two:
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Assess level of commitment and support from -
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state and local association affiliates,
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state department of education,
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institutions of higher education,
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business and other community partners
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local school district
Three:
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"A high point of the curriculum was for the students to create a lesson plan of their own, addressing all the requirements with which teachers are expected to comply. As I spoke with them, it was obvious that this exercise was the biggest eye-opener for them. The consensus was that they had never imagined how difficult planning would be, and it gave them renewed respect for their teachers' daily preparations."
-- Tom Haggerty, reporter for the Atlantic News, Hampton NH
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For more information:
Contact the NEA affiliate in your state
or call or write to:
National Education Association
Teacher Quality
1201 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036-3290
202 822-7350
www.nea.org
or contact
Erin Young
Director, Future Educators of America
Phi Delta Kappa International
P.O. Box 789
Bloomington, IN 47402-0789
1-800-766-1156, ext. 2252
Acknowledgements
The members of the National Education Association appreciate all those who contributed in ways both large and small to the research, writing, publication and dissemination of this document including:
Gail Watts
California Teachers Association
Chris Guinther
Missouri National Education Association
Greg Harris
North Carolina Association of Educators
Grace Nelson
National Education Association New Hampshire
Marsha Miller
The Western New Hampshire Tech Prep Consortium
Erin Young
Future Educators of America
February 2006
You can download a PDF version of this 12-page brochure ( PDF, 644KB, 12 pages ).
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