Attracting and retaining excellent teachers is one of the most critical factors for P-12 student success. However, the number of people entering teacher education programs has declined, and the U.S. is facing a teacher shortage in many school districts. That’s why Dr. Peter Eley, Interim Dean of the College of Education, Humanities, and Behavioral Sciences, inducted the most recent graduates from AAMU’s undergraduate and master’s Teacher Education Programs into the Champion Teacher Recruitment Organization (CTRo).
“One of our recruitment goals is to involve all stakeholders in the recruitment process,” said Eley. “Our graduates are our best recruiters for the Teacher Education Program, and I am happy to invite eleven graduates into the organization for the fall of 2023.”
Eley says the Champions will engage their networks to recruit students into the Teacher Education Program. The new alumni will also work to generate support for AAMU.
“I am excited to be a recruiter,” said physical education graduate Shawn Stewart. “I had a great experience here and want others to have a similar experience. AAMU is the right University to learn how to become an effective teacher and leader.”
Hope Scruggs, a graduate in secondary education mathematics, feels the same way. “Being inducted into the Champion Teachers Organization puts the icing on the cake for the last page of my chapter here at Alabama A&M,” she said. “I gained so much from this great place, and now I can give back!”
The graduates will join other teachers in the organization who meet once a year to receive updates on the Teacher Education Program and learn more about recruitment goals from the dean.
Photo (L-R) Jawonki Moseley, master’s, mathematics education; Bryce Massey, physical education; Maleah Stallworth, elementary education; Maria Moreno, family and consumer sciences; Dr. Peter Eley, Interim Dean; Rodney Farrell, physical education; Shawn Seward, physical education; Taugene Morris, elementary education; Daija Smoot, physical education; Evan Spears, physical education; Hope Scruggs, master’s, mathematics education
