MSU Moorhead and Moorhead High School partnership inspires future educators

Most school districts report being significantly affected by the teacher (84%) and substitute teacher (89%) shortage. One-third of new teachers leave the profession within five years. Statewide, 6.24% of Minnesota teachers are persons of color, while 40% of students are.

These are a few discouraging findings in the 2023 Biennial Report Supply & Demand of Teachers in Minnesota, prepared by the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board.

"Education is in a different world right now. We're not seeing as many young people enter the field, and the number of people leaving the profession after teaching only a few years is staggering," said Moorhead High School (MHS) English teacher Jim MacFarlane.

"We know many of our school partners struggle year after year to hire teachers, but we also know there is a tremendous amount of talent and diversity right here in Fargo-Moorhead," said Keri DeSutter, a professor in Minnesota State University Moorhead's (MSUM) School of Teaching and Learning (STL).

MSUM has enjoyed a collaborative relationship with Moorhead schools for many years, so when the idea of grow your own programming was discussed with district administration, they were all in. Teacher Cadet training for MSUM and MHS faculty helped focus the high school curriculum.

"All the teachers who participated in the training are exceptional and I am personally so impressed with Mr. MacFarlane's commitment to the teaching profession, the concept of growing our own teachers, and especially his interest in diversifying the teaching profession," DeSutter said.

The Teacher Cadet Program's goals are to address regional teacher shortages, encourage more diversity in the profession, and expose high school students to teaching careers. MacFarlane, who has a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from MSUM, teaches the course where students earn college credits.

After initially enrolling in the class, MHS senior Colton Jacklovitch decided last summer to drop the class, but the school wouldn't let him.

"It was a good thing because I learned that I am passionate about teaching," Jacklovitch said. "More importantly, I learned about myself and learning styles so I can better understand other students."

The program and a practicum at Liberty Middle School solidified MHS senior Taylor Lau's interest in education.

Taylor Lau says helping people understand what they don't know is why she's leaning toward education.

"It was interesting to see the different levels kids are at in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades," Lau said.

She will major in elementary inclusive education when she enrolls at MSUM this fall.

"I like MSUM's campus, and the North Star Promise is a great financial benefit. After touring campus and hearing from current education students, it solidified my decision to become a Dragon," Lau said.

Six of the seven Teacher Cadet seniors are attending MSUM in the fall, including Jacklovitch, who says the middle school gym practicum and Mr. MacFarlane confirmed his interest in a teaching career.

Colton Jacklovitch will study physical and health education and minor in coaching at MSUM this fall.

"This class taught me so much about being a teacher, and Mr. MacFarlane is a great role model who has shared many inspiring stories about his career," Jacklovitch said.

MacFarlane says the teaching practicum is the highlight of the class, where students get in and roll up their sleeves.

"Our kids worked with some wonderful teachers who embraced them, taught them, and helped them out of the goodness of their hearts. This year couldn't have gone any better," he said.

The goal of attracting more and more diverse students into the profession - and into the community - may pay off. Twenty-five students are enrolled in the program this fall.

"This partnership with MSUM has been great," MacFarlane said. "Our students have a first-class education program right here in their backyard. The most exciting thing for me will be the day when our students who discovered their passion for teaching come to work at Moorhead Public Schools."

If you know a student interested in exploring a teaching career, invite them to MSUM's Become a Teacher Day on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, to hear from current teacher education students, sit in on a class, and experience MSUM's beautiful campus. For more information, visit mnstate.edu/be-a-teacher/.