Teacher Training Initiative (TTI) Proposal
June, 2020
In the spring of 2018 the CAMWS Development Committee, under the leadership of its chair John Miller (University of Virginia), launched the Teacher Training Initiative (TTI), dedicated to supporting K-12 Latin teacher training and professional development. Since then, CAMWS consulares, officers, and individual members have contributed $21,273 to the campaign, and the Executive Committee has approved a commitment of $10,000 from the CAMWS endowment, bringing the total amount of available funds to $31,273.
During 2019-20 an ad-hoc committee, chaired by Fanny Dolansky (Brock University), brainstormed about how best to disburse the funds. In its report, submitted to the Executive Committee this spring, the committee suggested ideas in four categories: teaching certification, training experiences, mentoring experiences, and start-up costs. Building on those suggestions, and believing that our top priority should be brand-new initiatives to attract pre-college as well as undergraduates into the profession, the outgoing and incoming CAMWS Presidents and the outgoing and incoming CAMWS Secretary-Treasurers propose a two-pronged approach to spending the TTI funds:
1. Partnership Program
Establish a partnership program between K-12 schools and colleges/universities.
a. K-12 Classics teachers, especially those certified to teach Latin, would be invited to visit college/university campuses and speak with Classics undergraduates about the rewards of K-12 teaching.
b. College/university Classics faculty or undergraduate Classics majors, particularly those in programs that offer Latin teaching certification, would be invited to visit K-12 schools and speak with students about the rewards of majoring in Classics and of becoming certified to teach Latin in K-12 schools.
c. K-12 Classics teachers, especially those certified to teach Latin, would be invited to serve as mentors for undergraduate Classics majors interested in a K-12 teaching career.
TTI funds would cover honoraria, transportation costs, meals, certificates, etc. CAMWS State/Provincial and Regional Vice-Presidents would be charged with publicizing the program and recruiting teachers to serve as speakers and mentors.
2. Scholarship Program
Establish scholarships to support undergraduate students, especially those from underrepresented or underserved populations, who pursue certification in Latin.
a. Offer a scholarship for a high-school student who commits to majoring in Classics and earning certification. The scholarship would be renewable for four years. It could be the same amount each year or grow gradually (e.g., $500, $1000, $1500, $2000).
b. Offer a scholarship for a college/university sophomore or junior who is pursuing teaching certification. The scholarship would be renewable for up to three years. It could be the same amount each year or grow gradually (e.g., $1000, $1500, $2000).
The scholarships could have a name distinct from other CAMWS awards or become a new category of Manson A. Stewart Teacher Training Awards, which historically have gone to graduate students pursuing an MAT or to current K-12 teachers seeking certification in Latin.
The incoming President and incoming Secretary-Treasurer will take responsibility for initiating both the partnership program, with the help of CPL, and the scholarship program, with the help of the Steering Committee on Awards and Scholarships, during 2020-21.
This proposal was approved by the CAMWS Executive Committee on June 29, 2020.