UNLV partners with the Public Education Foundation (PEF) to provide new pathways to teaching careers for local students and support professionals.

Building on a growing coalition of programs aimed at addressing the teacher shortage in Clark County, the partnership will bring together teacher license candidates and experienced certified educators to ensure future teachers have the support they need. they need to graduate and get into class.

Additionally, UNLV and PEF announced that they have finalized the sale of the PEF building at 4350 S. Maryland Parkway to the university for the future headquarters of UNLV’s Division of Education. Later this year, PEF administrative staff will move to space on the UNLV campus, while the PEF Teacher Superstore, which provides school supplies for teachers to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, will move to a separate property to be announced. in a close future. .

UNLV and PEF believe that these actions underscore the importance of strong partnerships between the community and the higher education system, in collaboration with the Clark County School District (CCSD), to address important education issues. public.

“Remarkable things happen when innovation and community converge, as our College of Education and our partners continue to demonstrate in their creative efforts to address the chronic shortage of K-12 teachers in Nevada” , said UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield. “This partnership with the Public Education Foundation is another great example of like-minded organizations working together to strengthen and diversify the pool of highly qualified teachers entering our local classrooms.”

The partnership between UNLV and PEF will establish a mentorship program to support CCSD high school students enrolled in dual-enrollment pre-teaching programs and current school paraprofessionals as they progress to a bachelor’s degree. Each candidate will be matched with a certified teacher who has worked three or more years in public schools from K-12 to serve as a mentor the year before entering an education program.

Mentors will help candidates find and access comprehensive supports aimed at reducing the variety of barriers they may face in becoming a teacher, such as applying for college admission and financial aid, completing the Praxis knowledge test and immediate gratification. needs such as childcare and transportation. Mentors will also share their insights to ensure mentees are prepared for what they will experience in the classroom.

UNLV, PEF and other organizations such as CCSD and the Clark County Education Association are also collaborating on a program to provide teacher candidates with mentorship during the first three years of their teaching career, including a support for curriculum development, student and family engagement skills, and stress management.

“PEF’s mission is to work collaboratively with the broader community and education system to address immediate and critical education issues. The chronic and growing shortage of teachers should be viewed as a crisis for all of us in Clark County, with the greatest immediate impact on our students, families, and educators,” said Rich Broome, CEO of Public Education. Foundation. “Working with UNLV to reduce and eventually eliminate teacher shortages will benefit all children in our public schools and make a substantial and positive contribution to the long-term well-being of the community,” he said. added.

About the Foundation for Public Education

The Public Education Foundation (PEF) unites the community to inspire support for our public schools. In partnership with the Clark County School District (CCSD), PEF helps guide effective investments in education to meet the immediate and critical needs of our students, families, and educators. For more information about the PEF, please visit thepef.org. Follow us on Facebook @ThePublicEducationFoundation and Twitter @ThePEFtoday.