The Southern Illinois Future Teachers Coalition formed to create an educator pipeline to help Southern Illinois schools facing teacher shortages.
The Southern Illinois Future Teachers Coalition is a partnership between SIU, Shawnee Community College, John A Logan College and 15 area high schools that builds a career pathway for high school students to become teachers.
The group helps high schools form future teacher clubs that allow students to get a jump start on their college education by offering dual credit classes.
SIFTC grant coordinator Brooke May says giving students early access to their future career will produce more teachers for the region.
“We're going to be having high quality teachers come out because we've started them in high school, learning the elements behind teaching and what it means to be a teacher and kind of letting them see behind the veil. It's not just standing up in front of a class and doing activities, but, you know, getting to actually teach those lessons their selves.”
The group also helps current teachers get qualified to teach dual credit classes.