Parents target of drive to hire teachers

Terry Webster

Friday, June 8, 2001 | 11:30 a.m.

The effort to raise more "home grown" teachers has inspired a new recruiting tool for the Clark County School District.

Fliers were sent home with school children over the past month, asking stay-at-home parents if they would consider becoming a teacher.

Additionally, elementary schools have posted notices in their hallways and articles in newsletters about the program, said Robin Rankow, a recruiting analyst for the district.

But the program will not help any teacher shortage that may occur this year.

The teacher recruits will not be fully ready for the classroom until June 2002, after they complete a college licensing program.

The district needs to hire about 1,600 new teachers for the upcoming school year and has hired about 600 so far, said Rankow.

Parents and others interested in becoming teachers must have at least a bachelor's degree and will have to enroll in an 11-month college program in order to become licensed.

They also must complete an application and submit original college transcripts, accompanied by three references by June 22. From July 27 through 29, the district will conduct a screening process. Those who pass the screening will advance to follow-up interviews.

Then, candidates have to pass all of their required courses and exams.

One year from now, they will be interviewed by principals for job placement.

"This would be for the 2002-2003 school year," Rankow said.

During an interview Thursday with Jon Ralston on the Las Vegas Sun's news program, Face to Face, Superintendent Carlos Garcia also discussed the new recruiting program.

"We recruited about 250 parents who have degrees but not their teaching credentials," Garcia said. "We are setting up a program just for them."

Garcia also said teacher recruiting efforts will be helped by a bill passed by the state Legislature that allows districts to hire certified teachers from out of the country.

Canada, for example, has excellent programs, Garcia said.

"Now we are able to go and recruit there," he said.

Garcia said the district still may be short by as many as 500 teachers in the fall.

If that happens qualified school district personnel will have to fill in, Garcia said. Additionally, the district is working to beef up its list of available substitute teachers,

Another program, expected to attract upwards of 200 new teacher candidates, will allow qualified school district employees to begin student teaching in the district this fall. The candidates must have completed all other requirements, lacking only experience in student teaching, Rankow said.