For years, I have thought that public schools needed additional teachers with relevant industry or practical experience.  I understand that some highly qualified professionals might be terrible teachers, but the idea makes sense to me.  Kids today are all about what’sinitforme and whydoIneedtoknowTHIS.  Who better to teach than someone who can specifically address these concerns.  This is not a knock against current teachers…far from it.

There are dozens of programs, mostly on a volunteer level, for people  to “give back,” to spend some time with young people to give them “real world,” almost hands-on experiences…inside the classroom.

For those of you who want to be a ‘real’ teacher, the St. Paul school system, in cooperation with the US Department of Education through their Transition to Teaching grant and The New Teacher Project, have a pilot program called the St Paul Teaching Fellows Program that does just that.  So, instead of taking up square dancing and knitting in your retirement, why not teach?

They are looking for math, science, reading, bilingual and special education teachers for next Fall, 2008.  Accepted candidates will go through an intensive summer long training program and will be asked to work toward their teaching licenses.  The deadline to apply is March 10, 2008.  You can apply at www.saintpaulteachingfellows.org.

Good luck.
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