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OU Helps Aspiring Teachers Earn License, Degree


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Aspiring teachers can earn their teaching license and a master's degree in just one year.

Ohio University is the host of the program that makes this all possible: The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Foundation.

Fellow Blaine Bullock has completed the program and he explains the purpose of the foundation.

“This program is designed to take people that have some sort of degree in these STEM fields which is science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and taking them from that content area and teaching them how to educate other,” said Bullock.

Fellows receive a $30,000 stipend, and a full tuition scholarship to the program once accepted.

He explains that you do not need to have an education degree to become a participant.

“This program is for people with an undergraduate degree and anyone who enjoys working with young people and seeing them do well in school and do well in life; you really have to enjoy your content area and you really got to want to make a difference,” said Bullock.

During their one year the fellows not only earn a degree but they get hands-on training while student teaching.

The student teaching opportunity in this program is unique.

Bullock says that typically in other programs, a student teacher is in a classroom for just 10 weeks or for a semester.

Fellows in this program student teach for an entire year.

“We have been in the school districts where we were placed for an entire school year; so we are there year-round we get to mesh with the kids for an entire year and get an entire academic calendar under our belts,” said Bullock.

Bullock says that he enjoys gaining the trust of the students, and that it helps them feel comfortable in their school environment when they see familiar faces teaching them.

He also adds that the one year of experience looks great on a resume when it is time for them to apply for jobs.

After participants complete their one year in the program and receive their master's degree Bullock says they are then allowed to start their teaching career but they first must teach in a low-income school district for three years.

“The College of Education and the Woodrow Wilson Foundation help us pick out where we should go and where they think we will be most needed and at the end of those three years we will be done with our obligation,” said Bullock.

When those three years are completed, Bullock says the participants can then choose to teach in any school district they want.

Bullock says the application process is now open.

Those who are interested can apply online until January 23.