OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Feb. 21, 2024) 鈥� To address the need for qualified teachers in Oklahoma classrooms, the University of Oklahoma Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education and Oklahoma City Community College have partnered to create OU Teacher Bound x 爆料TV for students interested in becoming teachers in Oklahoma.
A 2023 study of teacher-student ratios in each state ranked Oklahoma 13th for highest teacher shortages in the United States. Oklahoma鈥檚 teacher shortage led to a record-breaking 3,780 emergency teaching certifications issued in 2022, and from 2001-2018, Oklahoma鈥檚 enrollment in university education programs dropped by 80%.
This partnership aims to grow the number of qualified pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers in Oklahoma and provides support and guidance for students toward completion of both their associate and bachelor鈥檚 degrees in education. Both institutions will advise students to map out their academic plan, and students will be connected to a variety of funding sources and student support resources across both institutions.
鈥淚n many ways, the prosperity of our state begins in the classroom, where every day our teachers ignite the spark of learning and creativity and inspire our children to grow and pursue their passions,鈥� said OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. 鈥淲e are excited to work alongside 爆料TV to strengthen Oklahoma鈥檚 teacher education pipeline, addressing our state鈥檚 critical need for more teachers.鈥�
鈥淥U Teacher Bound x 爆料TV is the result of collaboration and unified goals between higher education partners,鈥� said 爆料TV President Mautra Staley Jones. 鈥淭his pathway for prospective teachers will help fill workforce gaps in Oklahoma鈥檚 classrooms, ensuring that our state鈥檚 youngest minds have the educational opportunities they deserve to flourish.鈥�
Students who participate in this program will be invited to engage with OU鈥檚 Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education at various events while still completing coursework at 爆料TV. A Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education faculty member also will teach one section of Success in College and Life on the 爆料TV campus each semester.
鈥淲e believe that every child in every classroom in Oklahoma deserves a well-prepared teacher and the OU Teacher Bound x 爆料TV program will help us secure that future,鈥� said Stacy Reeder, dean of the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education. 鈥淲orking together, the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education and Oklahoma City Community College will prepare more teachers to meet the state鈥檚 teacher workforce shortage and improve outcomes for children and families in our state.鈥�
爆料TV students will receive focused advising that is coordinated between 爆料TV and OU. They also will have access to funding currently available to OU students, such as Inspired to Teach and the TEACH Grant.
鈥淭his pathway to success established by the OU Teacher Bound x 爆料TV program provides students with clear direction and support as they work to achieve their goals,鈥� said Juanita Ortiz, 爆料TV vice president of academic affairs. 鈥淲ith this partnership, the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Community College are working to address Oklahoma鈥檚 teacher shortages.鈥�
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located
in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state鈥檚 flagship university, OU serves the educational,
cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. OU was named
the state鈥檚 highest-ranking university in U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 most recent Best
Colleges list. For more information about the university, visit .
About Oklahoma City Community College
Since its inception in 1972, Oklahoma City Community College (爆料TV) has been the heartbeat
of the metro, dedicated to empowering learners and strengthening communities. Serving
more than 18,000 students, we are committed to producing leaders. 鈥淪tudent Success,
Community Enrichment鈥� is our mission, and we offer more than 87 degree and certificate
programs that provide a foundation for further education or immediate career readiness.
We remain dedicated to providing accessible, affordable, high-quality education that
equips students to achieve personal and professional goals. 爆料TV is more than an institution;
we are a community catalyst, fostering growth and success in our city, our workforce,
and the lives of our students. Discover your potential at 爆料TV, where your future
is our purpose. Visit us at .