In an effort to address the state’s teacher shortage, Edgewood College is launching an online program to help Wisconsin National Guard members and their spouses earn their master’s degrees and state teaching licenses.
The program allows the state’s 10,000 National Guard members — including those in its Army and Air Force branches — as well as their spouses, to earn a 30-credit master’s degree for nearly half the cost as they work toward becoming fully licensed educators.
“The teacher shortage is a pressing and critical need,” said Michael Meissen, Edgewood’s senior director of education, who worked in public schools for nearly 40 years, including 14 as principal of La Follette High School. “We’re taking an all hands on deck approach to partner with any and all we can to meet the needs in the classroom.”
The partnership comes as Wisconsin schools have continued to struggle to fill teacher vacancies. For years, districts have faced historic teacher shortages, with fewer students pursuing education degrees in the U.S. and districts reporting smaller applicant pools.