Teach & Inspire Program Accepts 88 Professionals to Pursue Teaching in Florida High-Need Schools

Teach & Inspire accepted 88 professionals into its scholarship program to pursue teaching in high-need Florida schools. The Teach & Inspire participants will complete a preparation and certification program to teach math, science or special education for the 2008-2009 school year.

Tallahassee, FL (Vocus) April 18, 2008 -- Teach & Inspire accepted 88 professionals into its scholarship program to pursue teaching in high-need Florida schools. The Teach & Inspire participants will complete a preparation and certification program to teach math, science or special education for the 2008-2009 school year.

We are confident that this first cohort of Teach & Inspire candidates will truly make a difference for Florida’s students.

There is a critical need for dedicated and high quality math, science and special education teachers in Florida’s high-need schools. At the start of the 2007-2008 school year, Florida had 1,275 teaching positions unfilled. Teach & Inspire, a scholarship program of the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) is working to provide quality teachers for DeSoto, Duval, Volusia, Polk, Hillsborough, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Gadsden counties.

“The vision of Teach & Inspire is to recruit more people, particularly those of color, to pursue teaching in areas with the greatest need,” said ABCTE president Dave Saba. “We are confident that this first cohort of Teach & Inspire candidates will truly make a difference for Florida’s students.”

Teach & Inspire candidates were awarded a scholarship to earn their teacher certification through ABCTE’s Passport to Teaching program. In addition, candidates will receive a stipend for completing pre-service work prior to entering the classroom. Teach & Inspire teachers commit to teaching for three years in a high-need school. Teach & Inspire is funded through money from the U.S. Department of Education Transition to Teaching grant. For more information, visit www.teachandinspire.org

About the American Board
The American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence is a 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. For more information about ABCTE, please visit http://www.abcte.org

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