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Education students dominate prestigious designation
3:43 p.m., May 19, 2006--Twenty-two University of Delaware students are among 99 students in the Mid-Atlantic region who have been designated as Meritorious New Teacher Pre-Candidates, a first-of-its-kind program designed to recognize teachers-in-training who have not yet graduated but are the rising stars of their graduating class and are within nine months of graduation. The new designation expands the influence of the Meritorious New Teacher Candidate (MNTC) designation, launched in 2004 by the Mid-Atlantic Regional Teachers Project (MARTP) at the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education. The designation recognizes graduating candidates who are in the top quartile in the nation on several measures that correlate with effective teaching, including verbal skills and mastery of their subject matter, and who complete their state-approved preparation program with distinction and gain 400 hours of supervised clinical experience. To earn the new designation, the students must meet rigorous criteria in every aspect of their preparation to become teachers. UD has more MNTC Pre-Candidates than any other institution in the region. During the spring hiring season, the MNTC Pre-Candidates' names, contact information and preferences will be sent to every school district in the region. They also will receive an honorary certificate to use as they seek positions in any of four MARTP jurisdictions--Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. MNTC teachers are eligible to teach in any of the states for the duration of their license without having to meet any additional state requirements. “The online application makes the application process quick, easy and stress-free,” Tiffany Koontz, an elementary education major, said. “It only took about 15 minutes to complete, and the immediate feedback that the web site provides is encouraging.” Erin Sullivan, an elementary education major, said she paid up to $130 for each licensure exam in several states before she earned the prestigious designation. “This new designation would have saved me dollars, time and stress. It gives you a sense of being valued for having worked hard to prepare for an important career,” she said. In recognition of the fact that MNTC criteria exceed their unique licensing requirements, participating jurisdictions will grant full licensure to MNTCs from other states. About 30 percent of the new MNTC Pre-Candidates are interested in teaching in highly diverse urban schools. Twenty-one of UD's MNTC Pre-Candidates, all of whom will be graduating on Saturday, May 27, are: Christine Amandola, Lauren Blum, Emily Bullock, Patricia Collins, Michelle Dallaire, Bruce Fox, Cailin Harrington, Charlene Kemmerle, Tiffany Koontz, Catherine Krahe, Kristen MacGorman, Janet Marsland, Michael McKain, Alexis Nardella, Marisa Nomi, Daniel Pratt, Amy Samperisi, Erin Sullivan, Julia Thompson, Laura Wieland and Christen Zikos. Erin Guindon, who graduated in January, also earned MNTC designation. Valerie Woodruff, secretary of education in Delaware and president of Chief State School Officers, said, “This initiative is receiving a great deal of interest beyond the Mid-Atlantic region. MNTC may very well become a national designation as we talk with our colleagues across the country.” “This designation will help to attract the best and brightest into the classroom,” Nancy Grasmick, Maryland's state superintendent of schools, said. Exemplary teachers-in-training who are about to enter the job market can apply for the MNTC Pre-Candidate designation online at [www.aacte.org/mntc]. Their qualifications will be verified online by their campus and their information will be immediately available to school districts. Participating jurisdictions will grant full licensure to MNTCs from other states, a move similar to that offered to experienced teachers who are awarded National Board Certification. Top students who complete teacher preparation outside of the region but are looking to teach in a participating jurisdiction may also apply for the MNTC Pre-Candidate designation. Article by Martin Mbugua |
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