RICHMOND, Ky. (April 11, 2013) — Eastern Kentucky University’s Try Teaching program, now in its eighth year, is again accepting applications from mid- and second-career professionals who are intrigued about their potential in front of a classroom.
The program is geared to those who have doubts about leaving their current job behind to return to college for a second degree by allowing participants to gauge their comfort level as a classroom teacher before making a life-changing career move.
The program, funded by a $175,000 grant from Ashland Inc., has attracted 51 participants in its first seven years. Each spent one or two weeks in a K-12 classroom, gaining first-hand experience as they assisted in the preparation and execution of lesson plans while learning successful educational practices from their teaching mentors.
Several from previous years have decided to enter EKU’s Master’s in Teaching Program, which prepares and certifies individuals who hold non-teaching baccalaureate degrees, according to Dr. Cynthia Resor, coordinator of the MAT program and director of the “Try Teaching” program.
David Webster, who participated in the program in 2012, said he had aspired to become a teacher for many years.
“After a long successful business career, the time came for me to decide whether to jump out of the plane and start a completely new career,” Webster said. “Converting a dream to reality sounds good but leaving a secure job and taking on the commitment to retool for the teaching profession created some anxious moments. The Try Teaching program was the perfect opportunity for a reality check.  It allowed me to experience a day in the life of a schoolteacher and have some interaction with students in a classroom setting. Try Teaching gave me the first-hand experience and insight to make an informed decision to take the jump.”
In addition to classroom time with their mentoring teacher, “Try Teaching” participants will spend time with a university-level educator to learn more about certification procedures, the teaching profession and career benefits.
EKU officials hope the program will help those interested in making a career change to teaching.
The application deadline for the program is June 30 and participation is limited. More information is available at tryteaching.eku.edu or by contacting Cynthia Resor at 859-622-2165 or [email protected].
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