NJCUE program opens doors for new teachers

By Robin Kavanagh
Consulting Editor

Those interested in science, math and special education have a new opportunity for teaching certification.

William Paterson University has joined forces with Montclair State University, New Jersey City College, Kean University, the state Department of Education, and the municipalities of Paterson, Jersey City and Newark to form a new route for teacher certification, called New Jersey Consortium for Urban Education.

The program, whose hub is at MSU, is funded by $5 million of federal grant and private donation monies. Cynthia Onore, director of the NJCUE and MSU’s Center for Pedagogy, said the whole ideas is to recruit teachers, while providing them with a more supportive environment than what is offered by the state’s alternate route program.

“We hope that we will prepare them for the classroom, not just recruit and throw them into the classroom,” Onore said.

NJCUE’s premise is not original, but still simple. Like alternate route, applicants must pass the Praxis exam and graduate with a Bachelor of Science or Arts degree. But the similarities end there.

After initial approval, the applicants would attend classes during an eight-week session over the summer, while teaching part-time in their assigned districts. Unlike alternate route, these new teachers are paired with a mentor during the summer, who meets with them regularly throughout their participation in the program. Participants are also given a stipend for the summer.

After the summer is completed, the teachers begin a three-year commitment to their district as a full-time teacher, while still attending classes at night for the first year. The district in which they work would pay a salary for the teacher.

However, all these classes give the teachers more than just tools for the classroom; they also earn them up to 16 graduate-level credits, which can be applied toward a master’s degree. All of these classes are provided free-of-charge, unlike alternate route.

“This is what we hope is a very supportive alternate route,” said WPU Assistant College of Education Dean Maureen Gillette. She said that the program itself is very unique because of the partnership and collaboration among the universities, municipalities and the state, as well as the opportunity to earn free graduate credits.

And while the perks may sound sweet, a very serious commitment is expected of those who apply. Applicant requirements include:

• BA or BS in math for the math positions.
• BS in a natural or physical science for the science
positions.
• For special education, a liberal arts major
is required.
• A 3.0 GPA.
• Pass the appropriate Praxis II examination.
• A commitment of three years in one job.

“We are looking for people who are serious and committed to being teachers in urban schools,” Gillette said of potential applicants.

Onore said that the reason for targeting only math, science and special education was because that’s what the districts asked for.

“What we’re doing is allowing our participating districts to dictate to us, based on their need, who will come into their district,” she said.

NJCUE is a brand-new program and is still under development.

“We’re all now collectively developing the curriculum for the summer and fall,” Gillette said.

Those interested in the program can submit applications until April 1. Information about the program, as well as applications are available at www.state.nj.us/njded/njcue. Only about 15 applicants from each campus will be accepted into the program.

March 27, 2003 Issue