This pandemic has brought uncertainty across a variety of industries with many people experiencing layoffs and furloughs.

With that in mind, leadership of UNT's Teach North Texas, the College of Science's math and science secondary level teacher preparation program, was unsure the response they might get to the program's District Night April 23 (Thursday).

The event allows soon-to-be graduates to learn more about local school districts and talk informally with district representatives about possible job opportunities. This year, it will be held virtually via Zoom.

Within 24 hours of an invitation, Teach North Texas already had eight districts confirming their attendance. Two of Teach North Texas clinical teachers have also already secured jobs proving that the demand for STEM public school teachers remains high.

For the 33 clinical teachers graduating this May from the program, finishing out their required hours for student teaching in the classroom has looked different since they can't physically go to schools. Many have been able to continue on with their mentor teachers as they transitioned online though, which has offered them a valuable learning experience about adapting instruction during a crisis.

Dr. Cindy Watson is our TNT instructor who works specifically with our Clinical Practice teachers, aka our student teachers who are currently in their final semester of work before graduation. Cindy's email is Cindy.Watson@unt.edu.

Teach North Texas is UNT's innovative math and science secondary level teacher preparation program. Modeled after the very successful UTeach program at the University of Texas in Austin, TNT's goal is to address the critical shortage of qualified teachers within these high-needs fields. Students gain hands-on teaching experience while learning effective classroom teaching techniques. TNT students are able to complete our program and be recommended for teacher certification within 120 hours.

UNT TEACH NORTH TEXAS DISTRICT NIGHT

When: 6-8 p.m. April 23 (Thursday)

Where: Zoom; media are welcome to attend virtually

Confirmed districts participating are Dallas ISD, Eagle Mountain Saginaw ISD, Frisco ISD, Irving ISD, Krum ISD, Lake Dallas ISD, Northwest ISD and Prosper ISD.

For further information or to gain access to the event, please contact Nancy Terry at Nancy.Terry@unt.edu or (940)231-3817. To get more information about TNT's Clinical Practice program, contact Dr. Cindy Watson at Cindy.Watson@unt.edu.