Attracting & Holding Candidates

California State University, Long BeachDepartment of Science Education

Laura Henriques – lhenriqu@csulb.edu

Dean Gilbert - Gilbert_Dean@lacoe.edu

• Advising and on-going contact

• Future Science/Math Teacher Clubs

• Professional Engagement

• Partnerships with area Districts & County Offices

Advising & On-going Contact

It goes without saying that timely dissemination of information goes a long way towards attracting and keeping students.

• Website, list serve, information sessions, bulletin board, keep accurate advising logs, provide information about scholarships (incl. Noyce), financial aid, etc.

• CO$T: release time for advisors as this is time intensive (~1,500-2,000 interactions per year).

Future Science Teacher Club(just started a Future Math Teachers Club)

We have hosted a student chapter of NSTA for the past 4 years. Students get free electronic membership in NSTA for a year.

• Monthly meetings around topics of pedagogy, science content, job strategies, etc.

• Advertised via AFSE list serve, fliers and announced in classes

• CO$T: time for the faculty advisor, money for pizza, supplies and photocopies

Professional EngagementWe encourage our students to become professionally active prior to leaving the credential program. Most have attended at least one conference or workshop prior to graduating.

• There are many area science teacher conferences and workshops (both fall and spring). We advertise them, make optional assignments for students who attend. Encourage students to join their professional organizations. Require evidence of lifelong learning/professional development in their student teaching exit portfolio.

• CO$T: minimal – keep up to date on what’s available and post on website, list serve and bulletin board. Attend & present as a faculty member to model professional engagement.

Partnerships with Area Districts and County Office

We have worked with local district science coordinators for field placements and student teaching assignments.

• We are in discussions with the County Office to develop a database of mentor teachers to be used for student teaching and field work placements. We would like to develop a workshop or course to train mentor teachers.

• CO$T: time to build relationships of mutual respect and trust, support to create workshops and incentives for teachers to participate.