For more than two years, officials with Murray State University, Hopkinsville Community College, Rotary of Hopkinsville and the Christian County Public Schools have tried to find liftoff with a “grow your own” teachers recruitment program for the southern Pennyrile district.
Bright and early Wednesday morning — much like a school day — that planning and dreaming became ink-to-paper, when four former CCPS students signed four-year contracts at the Christian County Schools board office, officially beginning their education careers at home.
It’s the inaugural class for Rotary Impact, made possible by efforts like the annual Hopkinsville Rotary Auction. And while this group will soon hit the ground running and putting their post-secondary skills to the test, the initiative is going to begin much earlier in future years.
Per CCPS Superintendent Chris Bentzel, the process will take interested CCPS students in their sophomore, junior and senior years and place them on a teaching pathway through Gateway Academy. A two-year transition to Hopkinsville Community College, aided by Hopkinsville Rotary, should lead to an associates degree — one transferable to Murray State University, where the final two years can be spent working through practicum and student teaching before official certification is awarded.
Then, following a four-year completed commitment of teaching at CCPS, Hopkinsville Rotary will fully repay tuition costs — creating incentive while encouraging students to seek education careers.
Bentzel said it’s all about retention and growth.
Cody Noffsinger, former Rotary president currently with Rotary Impact, said the goal is to eventually take this model and not only grow the local teaching pool, but perhaps cultivate other local and regional career opportunities.
MSU Provost Dr. Tim Todd, who grew up due north of Hopkinsville near Dawson Springs, said he too understood the importance of getting an education and bringing it back to one’s home region.
CCPS Teacher Recruiter Bev Fort said Wednesday was a long time coming for the district.
This announcement comes weeks after officials from MSU and KCTCS revealed a new plan involving the transition and acceptance of credits passing from two-year institutions to four-year Racer degrees.
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