Texarkana, TX – A significant investment in the future of education is being made possible through the Texas Pioneer Foundation, alongside the T.L.L. Temple Foundation. Together, they have awarded a substantial five-year grant of $1,137,835 to Texas A&M University – Texarkana (TAMUT). This funding is dedicated to developing a robust teacher pipeline program, strategically designed to combat the growing teacher shortage that is impacting communities nationwide.
Recognizing the critical need to cultivate educators from an early age, TAMUT’s innovative “Eagles Teach” program is setting a new benchmark. Unlike many initiatives that focus solely on high school recruitment, Eagles Teach aims to inspire and prepare future teachers starting as early as the 3rd grade. This comprehensive program will nurture students’ interest in education throughout their academic journey, extending all the way to college degree attainment.
Wynn Rosser, president and CEO of the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, emphasized the vital role of effective educators: “Effective teachers are critical to ensuring that young people learn. We need more effective teachers, and this approach is exciting because Texarkana-area youth will be prepared to give back to their community while entering a profession with career potential.”
The “Eagles Teach” program, a collaborative effort with four school districts in Bowie County, Texas, and Miller County, Arkansas – Pleasant Grove ISD, Liberty-Eylau ISD, Texarkana ISD, and Texarkana Arkansas ISD – features a multi-faceted approach. For students in grades 3-8, the program will introduce career exploration and awareness activities focused on the field of education. High school students in grades 9-12 will have access to dual credit pathways, offering two distinct options:
- CTE Public Service Endorsement Pathway: This pathway provides dual credit courses leading to a CTE Public Service Endorsement, coupled with a TEA paraprofessional certificate. This allows graduates to immediately enter the workforce as paraprofessionals upon high school completion, providing a valuable entry point into the education sector.
- Texas 42-hour Undergraduate Core Pathway: This pathway focuses on providing the Texas 42-hour undergraduate core college courses. Students completing this pathway will be well-prepared to seamlessly transition into TAMUT, ready to tackle upper-level education coursework and pursue a teaching degree.
Fred Markham, Executive Director of the Texas Pioneer Foundation, highlighted the foundation’s commitment to educational advancement: “We are pleased to join the T.L.L. Temple Foundation in providing funding for this exciting new program that will provide a low-cost pathway for students to achieve a career in education and increase the number of certified teachers and paraprofessionals in our region.” The Pioneer Foundation‘s investment reflects its dedication to fostering educational opportunities and strengthening the local community.
The five-year project will be expertly guided by the TAMUT College of Education faculty, working in close partnership with the participating school districts. The program is designed to build strong connections between students and TAMUT, fostering awareness of the rewarding careers available in education. Key components of the program include:
- On-site University Camps: Immersive camp experiences at TAMUT for younger students to explore the world of education.
- Career Fairs: Events showcasing the diverse range of career paths within the education field.
- Support Services: Dedicated support for high school students enrolled in dual credit pathway courses.
- Paid Tutoring Opportunities: Training and opportunities for high school students in the Eagles Teach program to become paid tutors within their own school districts, providing valuable practical experience.
- Saturday Workshops: On-campus workshops at TAMUT to enhance students’ teaching skills and introduce them to the College of Education faculty.
Dr. C. Kelly Cordray, Chair and Assistant Professor in the Department of Teaching and Professional Programs in Education at TAMUT, emphasized the transformative potential of the program: “Education is an incredibly noble and rewarding profession; however, we live in an area of extreme poverty which is exacerbated by the current rate of inflation. Through this grant, we can directly impact the poverty level and success trajectory of participants. I am most excited to watch the transition from fear and uncertainty regarding how to make college a reality to confidence and pride in first-generation college graduates’ accomplishments.”
TAMUT and its partner school districts are deeply committed to ensuring equitable access to the program. They will proactively identify and support historically underrepresented students, ensuring they are fully included in all program activities. Furthermore, financial barriers to dual credit courses will be removed, maximizing accessibility for all students and families.
About the Texas Pioneer Foundation:
The Texas Pioneer Foundation, based in Texarkana, Texas, is a private, independent 501(c)(3) foundation established in 2004. The Pioneer Foundation is dedicated to investing in exceptional educational projects that generate significant positive change, improve educational quality, and enhance outcomes for students and families. For further information, please visit www.texaspioneerfoundation.org/.
About T.L.L. Temple Foundation:
The T.L.L. Temple Foundation collaborates with rural communities to foster a thriving East Texas, alleviate poverty, and create opportunities for all. Established in 1962 by Mrs. Georgie Temple Munz, the T.L.L. Temple Foundation has invested over $500 million, primarily to strengthen rural East Texas communities. More information is available at www.tlltemple.foundation.
