Getting professional help

A successful lawyer. A 70-something retiree. A nuclear operations expert. A Nigerian immigrant with a degree in history.

Until now they had little in common. This summer, though, they are uniting for a common goal: coming to a classroom near you.

They are known as "career-changers," and Lee and Collier schools are increasingly depending on them to fill teaching jobs. Officials say there has been an upsurge in interest from professionals who want to make the switch, and while kids are on break, their teachers-to-be are involved in an intense crash course in education.

Waging an all-out battle to find enough teachers — last year, Lee County was unable to maintain a full roster — school districts say these non-traditional teachers are desperately needed.

"We're going to have to tap into every available source," said Greg Adkins, director of employee relations for the Lee school district. "That's one that's gone largely untapped for a number of years. It's rich with people who could contribute to the classroom."

The trend is fueled in part by two programs that prepare adults with bachelor's degrees to lead classrooms in Southwest Florida. Both Florida Gulf Coast University and Edison College offer intense training to those who, for myriad reasons, want to make the transition to teaching. They tout the future teachers' previous experience as a plus for local schools.

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Linda Bixler teaches Trenna Woodley how to use Microsoft Publisher, while Dave Banse looks on during a technology class as part of the Educator Preparation Institute at Edison College on Thursday.

"We're bringing in professionals from this area who already have housing and roots in the community," said Emily Lewis, Edison's continuing education coordinator.

Edison began its Educator Preparation Institute in Charlotte County earlier in the year, then opened one on the Lee County campus this summer. In all, there are more than 90 students. By next year, Edison anticipates starting a 40-person program in Naples, plus 100 students each at the Lee and Charlotte campuses. Southwest Florida College is considering a teaching degree too.

The students come from all walks of life, from doctors to homemakers.

"It's amazing the amount of talent in that room," said Diane Dennis, who is attending EPI classes daily this summer from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Her goal: to become an elementary school teacher.

A series of conversations with a terminally ill close friend inspired her to shift professions and pursue a calling she could never quite ignore.

"I've been so blessed. I want to give back to the community," said Dennis, a North Naples resident and practicing attorney for more than 20 years.

Career-changers bring a variety of experience to the classroom, education officials say, another life that can show students how to apply what they're learning in the real world.

But there is a downside. Many arrive in the classroom without any teaching experience, unlike the traditional education graduates who must complete internships and observations.

"Their transition from one career to another is typically more difficult than someone coming right from the college of education," Adkins said. "Sometimes ... it's a culture shock."

Esohe Egiebor, who is training through FGCU's Teacher Immersion Program, discovered her passion for education while preparing her son for kindergarten with alphabet and counting lessons. Still, she's nervous about the first year, which can be so stressful that every year a few new teachers quit.

"I'm thinking, 'Will I make a good teacher?' I pray every day that I will," said Egiebor, who got her B.A. in Nigeria.

Going through a preparation program, which gives participants a professional certificate instead of a temporary one, is a better way to go, Adkins said. Instead of starting out with no experience and a temporary certificate, the teachers-to-be leave with a professional certificate and more concrete skills such as familiarity with writing lesson plans, keeping an electronic grade book and managing discipline.

"It's a lot of work in a very short period of time," said Elaine Ponzio, a teaching assistant at Harns Marsh Elementary in Lehigh Acres. The single mom, who has a degree in sports management, hopes to become a physical education teacher.

Once she does, Melody Galka believes she'll find the job rewarding.

Galka, who is completing her certification requirements through FGCU's program, is a former mental health counselor who turned down job offers to stay in teaching.

"I just love it," said Galka, a biology teacher at Mariner High School in Cape Coral.

That's where schools stand to benefit, Adkins said.

"I think we've just started to scratch the surface," he said. "The average person may not be aware that (teaching) is an option for them."

As interest grows, district recruiters likely will pressure colleges to expand the programs. With accelerating population growth and a state mandate to reduce class sizes, schools need to hire more teachers than ever this year.

To meet the need, Adkins said, "The district is going to have to start increasing the number of teachers that we hire that are coming from a different career. You've got the state of Florida producing six to seven thousand graduates from colleges of education, but needing 30,000 teachers. Where else are you going to get them?"