'Gateway to Teacher Education' certificate could help reduce South Dakota's teacher shortage

The South Dakota Board of Regents OK'ed a new undergraduate certificate request Thursday to offer a “Gateway to Teacher Education.”

It’s billed as offering students a head start to pursue a career in K-12 education by giving them insights into the profession and the various teacher education degrees offered at Black Hills State University, Dakota State University, Northern State University, South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota..

The four certificate courses can be delivered to high school juniors, seniors and public university students on-campus, online and through the state’s high school dual credit program, and they are stackable with elementary, secondary and special education degrees.

SDBOR Executive Director Nathan Lukkes said in a press release that the certificate “serves as a solid stepping stone toward (students’) academic and career goals in education.”

The program also strengthens the pipeline for educators and makes quality education more accessible, SDBOR President Tim Rave said in a press release.

A report from the SDBOR states that the need for teachers in the state is estimated to increase by 7% by 2030, and that as of January this year, there were about 300 vacant teaching positions. The report also quotes South Dakota Department of Education Secretary Joe Graves as saying, “the teacher shortage right now is historically unprecedented.”

More: South Dakota needs more teachers. Here's why it's not as easy as just hiring more.

“Introducing high school students to the profession is good practice and may encourage students to consider teaching and return home to address the teaching shortage in their home communities,” the SDBOR report states.

During the public comment portion of Thursday’s meeting, Travis Lape, the director of teaching and learning in the Harrisburg School District and the president of Educators Rising South Dakota, expressed his support and gratitude for the new certificate.

Pam Carriveau, the SDBOR associate vice president for academic programming, said the certificate will help recruit more future educators into the teaching profession.

More information can be found online at OurDakotaDreams.com.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: 'Gateway to Teacher Education' certificate could help reduce South Dakota's teacher shortage