Math & Science Experts Wanted To Become Middle School Teachers

Degreed professionals in science, engineering, technology, and mathematics who are looking to do something different with their careers have an opportunity to work toward becoming certified teachers in these subjects to middle school students in the Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Chester Upland school districts.

The program, called E=mc², or Educating Middle-Grades Teachers for Challenging Contexts, is a federally-funded Transition to Teaching program designed to train mid-career and early retiree science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals as teachers.

OI Partners, a talent management and leadership solutions firm, is working with Temple University to recruit science and math experts to become middle school teachers in the Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Chester Upland school districts.

To meet Pennsylvania’s critical need for teachers in these subjects, the program offers an accelerated path to state teaching certification that also enables professionals to maintain their current jobs for about half of the 12-month course.

Said Elva Bankins, Managing Partner with OI Partners: “We are working with Temple University to find people who are fluent in their areas of expertise, and want to do something new. They may be approaching retirement, or have been laid off, or become disenchanted with layoffs and want a more stable career that is more fulfilling. They may have wanted to become teachers when they were younger, and now are in a better position to pursue that dream. ”

Added Temple University Dr. Marilyn Murphy, Ed.D., E=mc² Team Leader: "The program will help people successfully make the necessary transitions. In addition to transitioning to teaching, they will also be transitioning from one lifestyle to another. They may have been the boss, and will now become students. They may be experts in their jobs, but will be learning something new.

“You may not earn the same kind of money you were making in other professions, but teaching offers the opportunity to give something back to your students and to be appreciated. Everybody remembers a teacher who made a difference, ” Dr. Murphy added.

The program is seeking to recruit about 35 potential teachers. Applications will be accepted through the end of May. Those who successfully enroll in the program will attend classes at Temple from this September through March on Friday and Saturdays about every two or three weeks.

The Friday classes are conducted at schools in the districts, where program participants get to experience what it’s like to be in the schools and classrooms where they may be teaching. They begin student teaching full-time in April with current teachers serving as their mentors.

Program applicants should be mid-career or early retiree professionals and are required to teach for three years in a partnering high-needs school district after completion. Math experts should have a high-level of expertise and a bachelor’s degree with at least 15 credits of college-level mathematics. Science experts should have a high-level of subject expertise and at least 18 credits of college-level science courses with associated laboratories.

Program enrollees will receive a partial tuition subsidy of $5,000. After completing the program, they will be guided through the teaching certification process and interview for teaching positions within partnering district schools.

For more information and how to apply, go to www.temple.edu/education/emc2 or e-mail emc2@temple.edu

About OI Partners
OI Partners is a leading global talent management firm that helps individuals find new careers and employers to improve the performance of their employees and organizations. OI Partners is comprised of certified career management professionals who specialize in executive and group outplacement, executive coaching, leadership development, workforce planning, and talent management. The company was established in 1987 and is now located in 200 locally-owned offices in 27 countries with more than 100 U.S. offices. Please visit www.oipartners.net or www.gioip.com or call 610.889.2443

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