Openings available for state Teacher Academy

Openings are available for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Teacher Academy, is a yearlong program designed to enhance classroom instruction skills.

Teacher Academy focuses on student engagement, instructional strategies and reflection on practices that align with the Missouri State Teacher Standards, according to a news release from the department. Participants will collaborate with other highly dedicated teachers in their region and throughout the state.

The academy is based on the Leadership Academy, which has been fundamental in providing professional growth for school leaders for 30 years, the release said.

Teachers are encouraged to make reservations soon. These qualifications must be met:

• Be a current classroom teacher with three years of classroom experience.
• Be a teacher with demonstrated classroom effectiveness.
• Be a teacher with a commitment to sustained professional growth.

Teacher Academy Fellows are selected through an application process that requires a narrative response to a set of questions and two letters of recommendation.

Teachers may mail or fax their application forms to their Regional Professional Development Center and register for a statewide meeting Sept. 21 in Columbia, Missouri. Cost for Teacher Academy is $500.

An application form and more information are available at dese.mo.gov/educator-quality/educator-development/teacher-academy.