DETROIT (Michigan News Source) – As Michigan continues to resist the trend of teachers exiting the school system, several efforts are ongoing this summer to train and encourage retention, including the Teacher Cadet Academy. 

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This opportunity is funded and overseen by the Macomb Intermediate School District, and enables more than 100 high school and college students to work and observe classrooms in the presence of experienced teachers. 

Those who participate in the program have the ability to earn $11 an hour and experience in a professional environment according to Macomb ISD Superintendent, Michael DeVault. 

“Whether they become teachers or not, they will grow and contribute,” DeVault said of the cadets. “Once you experience working in a classroom with children, you never forget it. It stays with you your entire life.”

Cadets obtain a snapshot of what teachers’ work days look like, and shadow them, beginning in the mornings at student welcome and drop-off, also participating in off campus activities, culminating with executing lesson plans they have developed. 

“We want them to not only learn what it takes to become a teacher, but we want to raise them as professionals as well,” Teacher Cadet Academy Coordinator for Macomb ISD, Sarah Strohbeck said. “We talk about best practices, observations in the classroom. Cadets share some fun stories about their week.”

Many including State Superintendent Michael Rice have endorsed programs that enable districts to train the next generation of teachers and staff within schools. 

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“While we welcome hard-earned increases, we know we have more work to do collectively in the state on issues of teacher quantity, preparation, quality and diversity,” Rice said in a statement. “Research on various aspects of the teacher pipeline can help us strengthen the teaching profession in support of our children.”

Other attempts to increase the number of teachers in schools can be found on college campuses.  Michigan State University has as of last spring begun offering a four year teacher preparation program, rather than its previously five year commitment. 

“When looking at how to reshape our program, we wanted to identify and eliminate every barrier while also maintaining the strength of our program,” Associate Director of Teacher Preparation at MSU, Kyle Greenwalt said according to the Detroit News. “These changes are a significant step in the right direction.”

According to Greenwalt the new model keeps the best of what MSU is known for — its immersive and frequent experiences in K-12 classrooms and rigorous curricula — and adapts it to meet the needs of the education field, where it is today.