Overview
The Liberal Studies Department is seeking funding for capacity building, mentorship support, and recruitment efforts for the new launch of the Education Specialist Credential program in Fall 2024, to position Vanguard as the premier teacher preparation program to address the acute teaching shortage and the rapid increased student population identified as special needs (15% CA). This includes relevant curriculum, mentor relationships within the learning environment, effective clinical placements, and requisite skills development supporting successful career placement.
Key innovations highlighting VU’s competitive market edge, the program is accessible in many ways including providing an already successful accelerated, integrated teacher education program pathway so that students can earn their Bachelor’s and Teaching Credential in one less year and hybrid remote modalities. The new Ed Specialist Credential program was made possible by a substantial state awarded grant to hire a faculty director to initiate the program and significant funding is needed to ensure successful sustainability. Our program mission is to equip effective special education teachers as they teach for love and wisdom in the classrooms, schools and communities.
How will funds be used?
Giving Day 2024 funds will be used to promote this program through various avenues including disability awareness events, program recruitment, workshops, and mentorships to meet the growing need for special education teachers. This will include:
- ABLE Club, student-sponsored organization to host disability awareness events open to the campus community
- Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC)- to build and innovate the program with key school district partnerships
- Book and technology stipends for enrolled students
- Speaker series and honorariums
- Coffee chats and Q&As with education professionals and administrators
- Travel to networking events
- Training workshops and certifications
- Support to attend Special Education Conference
Why are donations necessary?
Retention is a critical factor to address the special education teacher shortage and an imperative for supporting VU’s new cohort of students. We are seeing academically qualified students lose career opportunities for lack in these competences. Many of our students are first generation students and do not have the background or familial support to learn these skills.
Internally, there is strong interest among all students, including those who aspire to earn multiple teaching credentials and greatly enhance their teaching effectiveness. Innovative recruitment and retention efforts to recruit students from groups traditionally underrepresented in Special Education to pursue by focusing on a variety of student populations including traditional, non-traditional, and transfer students while ensuring equitable access to students from diverse backgrounds.
Funds will be used to leverage VU’s SEAC Council’s partnership with external local K-12 school and community organizations and internal (ABLE Club, Disability Services) to provide effective academic, financial, and professional mentorship and support.