Education student organization at UW-Stevens Point receives national grant

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by Lauren Gibbs ’19

An education student organization at UW-Stevens Point recently received a national grant to boost the teaching profession. The Student Wisconsin Education Association (StWEA) chapter earned a $900 CREATE grant from the National Education Association to aid in the production of recruitment videos for the School of Education that will encourage enrollment in the program.

With enrollment in teaching programs on a decrease nationwide, Involvement Coordinator of StWEA Olivia Guralski explained how the videos will be used. “The videos will highlight why current students and teachers want to teach, why others should teach and the rewards of teaching,” said Gurlaski. “The videos will challenge myths about the teaching profession.”

The series of three videos will showcase School of Education faculty/staff and local alumni with the goal is to inspire future students to pursue a degree in education. Also included are StWEA members and officers. To market the videos, promotional postcards will be sent out to local high schools and around UW-Stevens Point, as well as a social media campaign to spread awareness.

StWEA faculty adviser Maggie Beeber emphasized how the grant will contribute to the profession of education. “Now more than ever we need dedicated teachers to fill the many vacancies in Wisconsin,” said Beeber. “We hope the videos created with this grant are shared with the PK-12 schools and inspire our young people to pursue this honorable profession.”

Student Wisconsin Education Association is a statewide organization focused on providing students in teacher education programs with a comprehensive understanding of the historical and current issues pertaining to public education. Members attend teacher conventions, listen to a variety of guest speakers and network with public education influencers.

The National Education Association is a nationwide organization who focuses on improving and promoting those involved in public education. CREATE grants are chapter and/or statewide community service projects that positively promote the NEA Student Program through strategies designed to enhance public education, increase advocacy and outreach to communities; support younger educators involvement in the association; and supports the development of innovative approaches to engagement. These grants are awarded to projects that reflect the NEA’s core values.

The three videos will be released in the spring of 2017.