Recognizing that pathways also contribute to 3.3, the following steps are moving with various degrees of implementation. MPS High School Students continue to be introduced to the teaching profession through South and Henry/Camden - funding continues through a grant from MDE. High School pathway through CTE is set to begin for fall 2024.
We are in the process of developing SpEd teacher apprenticeships with Owatonna and North Branch. Mankato will be at full implementation in the fall. Our partnership with Metro State University is being installed for an elementary program (with preK option) for a pre apprentice program with full implementation in 25-26
MPS academy -PELSB approved program (RIPA in October) recruited first cohort of candidates and first group of faculties. Courses start in June with candidates in the classroom this coming fall. Our established St. Thomas Residency begins its 8th cohort in the fall with 13 of the 20 candidates representing our BIPOC educators.
We actively participate in diverse recruiting events, both in person and online, to connect with our communities and attract high-quality candidates. Last year, we connected with approximately 1,000 candidates through recruiting events, both in person and online.
Some notable efforts included the People of Color Career Fair held at the Minneapolis Convention Center to recruit diverse licensed and non-licensed professionals where we connected with more than 180 candidates. This fair has been instrumental in hiring classroom support staff for schools like Las Estrellas, Green Central, Anderson, Emerson, and other departments and schools.
We partnered with external organizations including COPAL, Global Market, Metro State University, and Facebook group Madres Latinas for recruiting efforts for all staff positions and subsequent hirings including bi-lingual staff and next steps for hiring American Indian teachers and staff. A pool of candidates is established to continue this work as positions in our schools become available.