UNCG and Guilford County Schools team up to attract STEM teachers

The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is teaming up with Guilford County Schools by covering tuition for future math and science teachers. 

The program is aimed at students seeking a Master of Arts degree in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, commonly known as STEM.

According to a news release, the idea is to attract people with content knowledge in STEM fields who want to learn how to teach.

The Math and Science Teachers of Tomorrow program, or MST2, will offer free tuition at UNCG, as well as coaching for students seeking to fulfill the requirements to continue teaching in North Carolina. Participants will be asked to commit to instructing in Guilford County Schools for one year for each semester they take part in the program.

The effort comes at a time when teacher shortages are hampering schools both statewide and around the country.

Alison Coker, a human resources officer with Guilford County Schools, says her district suffered severe shortages of math teachers following the COVID-19 pandemic when many instructors left the profession.

The MST2 program represents a joint effort of Guilford County Schools, UNCG’s School of Education, and its Institute for Partnerships in Education.