Martin Luther College's Innovative Continuing Education Programs
Martin Luther College (MLC) in New Ulm, Minnesota, has been actively developing continuing education programs to address the teacher shortage and provide opportunities for professional development. These initiatives include support for early childhood educators and an alternative pathway to teacher licensure.
Addressing the Teacher Shortage
In recent years, Martin Luther College (MLC), New Ulm, Minn., has been working hard to address the current shortage of teachers across the synod. Recognizing the growing need for qualified educators, MLC has launched several initiatives aimed at supporting both current and aspiring teachers.
Four Tiers of Support for Early Childhood Teachers
To support WELS early childhood centers with their varied staffing needs, the MLC Office of Continuing Education has launched its four tiers of support for early childhood teachers. These tiers are designed to provide a structured pathway for professional development, with each level building upon the previous one. Tiers 2 to 4 build upon one another, with Tier 4 culminating in an associate degree. As of November 2024, the program has cleared the final hurdle in becoming an accredited program. “The online Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education for non-traditional adult learners has been approved by the state of Minnesota and the Higher Learning Commission,” says Prof. John Meyer, director of Graduate Studies and Continuing Education at MLC. This program offers early childhood educators a chance to enhance their skills and qualifications through a flexible, tiered system.
Alternative Pathway to Professional Licensure
MLC has also recently launched the Alternative Pathway to Professional Licensure Eligibility program, which provides a pathway for non-traditional and second-career students to earn a bachelor’s degree in education. This program caters to individuals who may not have followed the traditional path to becoming a teacher, offering them a route to gain the necessary qualifications and enter the profession. “We believe there are a great number of candidates who can serve the church and its school system in a way that will help fulfill the existing teacher shortage,” says Dr. Jeff Wiechman, vice president for academics at MLC.
Competency-Based Education
This licensure program is structured as a competency-based education program, allowing students to use their knowledge and experience to guide their pacing through the coursework to meet the Bachelor of Science in Education degree requirements and be eligible for a Minnesota Tier 3 teaching license. This approach recognizes the diverse backgrounds and experiences of students, allowing them to progress at their own pace and focus on areas where they need the most development.
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Program Development
The development of the licensure program has been years in the making. “This idea first surfaced in 2017 when we recognized our schools were growing and began exploring alternative ways to serve our church body,” Wiechman explains. MLC called Dr. Nichole LaGrow as the program director and Dr. Martin LaGrow as the instructional designer. MLC started work with returning adult learners interested in pursuing an elementary education degree and license a year ago with the launch of the theology minor. Those students can now continue via the Alternative Pathway to Professional Licensure Eligibility program. New students can join them this fall by applying to MLC . “We’re excited to serve our church body in this new way,” says Wiechman.
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