Local
3 Minute Interview-Saba
By: Leah Fabel
Examiner Staff Writer
November 26, 2008
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What accounts for the decline in people coming out of college prepared to teach?
In 1972, 21 percent of four-year degrees were in teaching. Today it’s 7 percent, in part because majors are nearly limitless. And especially for women, who haven’t always had every option available to them. The prestige has declined, too. We need to bring that back because all of those 1972 teachers are retiring in record numbers.
The teachers in your program receive “alternative certification.” What does that mean?
Normally, you go to a college or university and take course work for a full teaching degree, which is outstanding for most people. But for some who need a more efficient route, an alternative certificate provides a route to the classroom that usually doesn’t involve getting a teaching degree.
Who’s doing this?
Most of the people in our programs are working a job and doing this work on nights and weekends... The average age is 39; they’re one-third male and 20 percent teachers of color.
What do you say to people who complain, “You can’t put just anybody in the classroom”?
I totally agree with them — you can’t put just anybody in the classroom. But when there are rules and regulations that keep good people out, that’s not desirable either. The 40 percent of people that make it through our program really are dedicated and have the foundation to become a great teacher.
Have you found the incoming administration supportive of your mission?
From everything we’ve seen in the president-elect’s speeches, he’s a big supporter of alternative-certification programs. He understands there’s a great shortage of teachers, especially in urban and struggling schools.
