The GROW Cooperative: an Exemplary Model for Competitive Teacher Recruitment -- PRTP29

03/30/23 • 30 min

It’s no secret that Wisconsin is facing a teacher shortage. This episode features an alliance of rural schools in Wisconsin that have banded together to recruit and attract teachers. The school districts of Cambridge, Lodi, Sauk Prairie, and Wisconsin Heights were awarded a $264k Workforce Innovation Grant from the State of Wisconsin to implement a multi-layered approach to helping alleviate their workforce problem. In this episode, you’ll meet the DA from Wisco Heights, Dr. Jordan Sinz, MS/HS Principal and grant administrator, Elizabeth Dostal, and a grant recipient – student teacher and future agriculture and technology education teacher, Abby Kucken. In this episode, you’ll learn how these four districts created a multi-layered approach and how it’s already benefiting others. Districts like Cambridge, Lodi, Sauk Prairie, and Wisconsin Heights are setting a trend – competitive teacher recruitment needs to be part of your district’s hiring strategies. Listen to this episode to hear they created the GROW cooperative and be sure to check the show notes for links at https://proudruralteacherpodcast.com/.

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EVERYONE Should be Paying Attention to Public School Funding in Wisconsin -- PRTP28

So today’s episode is a little different for me in that, even though I’ve already done the interview, I still feel I have a lot to learn about funding for public schools in Wisconsin. Back in the day, when I was teaching HS English, I didn’t think much at all about school funding. I had, for the most part, as far as I knew, what I needed to do my job. I certainly did not think about the bigger picture or how financial decisions made at the state level, might impact public education. I don’t think my experience is unusual. As the years have passed, I’ve grown to understand that funding public education is certainly a challenge that’s deeply impacting our rural schools. So in this episode, I’m honestly just asking questions about funding for public schools in Wisconsin. To kick off National Public Schools week, I’m introducing you to the executive director of the Wisconsin Public Education Network, Heather DuBois Bourenane. The interview itself is actually in two parts. Part 1 was just days before the Governor of Wisconsin, Tony Evers, released his proposed budget, and Part 2 was just days after. Heather will explain how funding in Wisconsin impacts public schools and how the Wisconsin Public Education Network is a strong advocate for public schools. If you’re new to learning about how public schools in Wisconsin are funded, this conversation will, hopefully, stir your mind to learn more. Be sure to check out the show notes for relevant links.

Do you want to learn more about how public schools are funded in Wisconsin?

Visit: https://www.wisconsinnetwork.org/

Next Episode

PBS Wisconsin Education: A Wealth of Resources -- PRTP30

The spring in public school is pretty chaotic – field trips, state testing, prom, weather changes, graduation – you name it. It’s happening. As a way to throw a lifeline, I am using this episode to remind teachers about the diverse resources available from PBS Wisconsin Education. Tons of engaging material. Today you’re meeting Marci Glaus, the Education Communications Manager at PBS Wisconsin. She’s going to go over just...some tools they have to offer. Maybe you’ll hear something that can be a just-in-time lifeline for your classroom this spring. And if you like what you hear today, be sure to join us for a live webinar on April 17, 2023 at 4pm with Michael Hartwell, Education Engagement Specialist with PBS Wisconsin Education. There he’ll give you a visual tour of many of the tools mentioned today. Check our show notes at ProudRuralTeacherPodcast.com for more information on that as well as links to the PBS Wisconsin Education resources mentioned in this episode.