CWU 'Career Switcher' Student Teachers Go To School

October 17, 2003

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- Central Washington University's Career Switcher Program teachers-in-training are now getting a taste of classroom life in six western Washington school districts. Offered through CWU-Lynnwood, the program assists displaced workers with strong mathematics backgrounds in pursuing careers as junior or senior high school mathematics teachers.

The teacher-candidates have been placed in the Edmonds, Kent, Mukilteo, Northshore, Renton and Shoreline school districts through a partnership with the Washington Alliance for Better Schools, a non-profit corporation dedicated to improving student achievement.

"This interagency cooperation shows that Central is open to collaborating with other organizations as a way to facilitate program excellence," Sandy Colson, CWU office of continuing education programs manager, says.

Dr. Linda Beath, CWU associate vice president for undergraduate studies, adds, "We would not have been able to accomplish these placements without the contacts the Washington Alliance for Better Schools has with these school districts."

Last month, the CWU students began an intensive course of study, which will take place over five academic quarters, ending in December 2004. They are receiving hands-on teaching experience at the beginning of the program concurrent to coursework that will lead to a Washington residency-teaching certificate with an endorsement to teach math at the middle school and high school levels.

Alliance districts value the experience that the Career Switcher candidates bring to the classroom, according to Jonelle Adams, WABS executive director.

"These particular students bring practical applications from their business and work experiences that help make math learning so much stronger for students," Adams adds. "Having mature, experienced people in the classroom that have backgrounds that they can bring to the curriculum enriches the classroom experience tremendously."

For additional information about CWU's Career Switcher Program, call 800-720-4503 or visit www.cwuce.org/careerswitcher. The hearing impaired may call TDD (509) 963-2143.