New Scholarship Program Seeks Professionals to Teach in High-Need Florida Schools

Tallahassee, FL (Vocus) January 8, 2008 -- As Florida continues to seek more teachers for high-need school districts, the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) is hosting sixteen teacher recruitment events across Florida.

Florida faces a critical need for new teachers, especially in math, science and special education. At the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, Florida had 1,075 unfilled teaching positions. To help fill some teaching positions, ABCTE is hosting teacher recruitment events throughout the state where professionals can learn about becoming a teacher.

The events are free and open to the public. Attendees will learn about a new scholarship program, Teach & Inspire, which is designed to attract individuals, particularly of color, to pursue teaching in high-need subject areas and school districts. The Teach & Inspire program is recruiting teachers for math, science and special education. For more information or to download an application, visit www.teachandinspire.org.

Event Locations:

For event locations, visit www.teachandinspire.org

- Jan 9 - 12:00pm (noon) Florida State University

- Jan 9 - 5:30 & 6:30pm - Daytona

- Jan 9 - 5:30 & 6:30pm - Quincy

- Jan 10 - 12:00 & 1:00pm - University of North Florida

- Jan 10 - 5:30 & 6:30pm - Jacksonville (North)

- Jan 10 - 6:00 & 7:00pm - Jacksonville (Southeast)

- Jan 12 - 11am to 3pm - Tampa Bay

- Jan 14 - 5:30 & 6:30pm - Port Charlotte

- Jan 14 - 11:30am & 12:30pm - University of South Florida

- Jan 15 - 5:30 & 6:30pm - Miami (North), TBA

- Jan 15 - 5:30 & 6:30pm - Pompano Beach (North Ft. Lauderdale)

- Jan 16 - TBA - Barry University, Miami Shores

- Jan 16 - 5:30 & 6:30pm - Hollywood (South Ft. Lauderdale)

- Jan 16 - 6:00 & 7:00pm - Homestead (South Miami), TBA

- Jan 17 - 6:00 & 7:00pm - Lakeland

- Jan 17 - 5:30 & 6:30pm - Kissimmee

About Teach & Inspire

The Teach & Inspire program, developed by ABCTE, recruits, places and supports highly effective new teachers of diverse cultural and professional backgrounds in high-need school districts and subject areas to ensure success for all students.

We are seeking talented mid-career professionals and recent college graduates to transition into teaching and positively impact Florida students. Teach & Inspire teachers are awarded a scholarship to earn their certification through the American Board?s Passport to Teaching program. They also receive an $800 stipend for completing a summer training prior to entering the classroom. Teach & Inspire teachers receive additional support and mentoring during their first year of teaching. Teach & Inspire teachers commit to teaching math science or English language arts for three years in a high-need school district.

Teach & Inspire is funded by grants from the U.S. Department of Education Transition to Teaching grant. ABCTE was awarded $6.4 million dollars over the course of four years.

About the American Board

ABCTE offers the Passport to Teaching program ? an innovative alternative route to teacher certification for highly knowledgeable individuals who want to change careers and become teachers. For more information about ABCTE, please visit http://www.abcte.org.

The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence is non-profit organization, dedicated to recruiting, certifying and supporting excellent teachers essential for student success. ABCTE offers the Passport to Teaching program ? an innovative alternative route to teacher certification for highly knowledgeable individuals who want to change careers and become teachers. ABCTE is currently developing Distinguished Teacher, an advanced credential for teachers who advance student learning. For more information about ABCTE, please visit http://www.abcte.org

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