The West Virginia Public Education Collaborative, in partnership with West Virginia University and the West Virginia Department of Education, is working to make West Virginia a destination for new teachers.
Amid a critical teacher shortage, a team of education experts from the three organizations is exploring a new approach to teacher recruitment and retention. Known as Teachers Ascend into West Virginia, this innovative program was inspired by elements of the popular Ascend West Virginia remote worker initiative and Teach for America.
The relocation program aims to attract high-quality educators to the Mountain State by touting a work-life balance that instills community, purpose and outdoor adventure with a passion for teaching and learning.
“Teachers Ascend into West Virginia will not just fill open teacher positions,” WVU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maryanne Reed said. “More importantly, it will help recruit passionate, forward-thinking individuals to educate our students in new and exciting ways that prepare them for jobs of the future.”