The TEXT program is designed to allow excellent teachers in urban, suburban, and rural areas of Kansas City an opportunity to share their expertise with education students at Avila University, as the students begin to network with professionals in education. Teachers selected as members of TEXT may work with Avila students during various phases of their teacher preparation program: Practicum (an INTRODUCTION to education), class observations, and student teaching.

TEXT mentors may be teaching in urban, suburban, and rural settings. The goal of TEXT is to prepare future teachers for increasing student success in American classrooms in diverse settings. TEXT is an early step in this direction.

WHY WE NEED TEXT
Many teacher education students are completing degrees and receiving certification without being adequately prepared to meet the needs of students representing a variety of backgrounds. Many of these graduates have not developed a familiarity with a variety of teaching settings (urban, suburban, and rural). This situation often leads to fewer teachers with the proper preparation seeking teaching positions in urban and rural areas.

Through TEXT, students at Avila begin their first educational experience in Practicum with two diverse placements within their field of interest (by grade level and curriculum area). This allows students to discover if they are truly interested in teaching as a career and to discover the rewards and challenges of teaching in various settings. During Practicum, professional mentors provide a role model for excellent teaching and receive assistance from the Practicum students who are encouraged to observe and serve as assistants in the classroom.

We work with over 25 school districts in the Missouri and Kansas area. We have over 185 TEXT mentors assisting Avila students in this partnership.