Bishop talks about educator accelerator program with WFVX
Penny Bishop, dean of the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development, was interviewed by WFVX-TV (Fox 22/ABC 7 in Bangor) about the educator accelerator program in RSU 34 (Old Town, Alton, Bradley) that pays preservice teachers to work in classrooms as paraprofessionals and substitutes. Students from area educator preparation programs, including UMaine, Eastern Maine Community College, Husson University and the University of Maine at Augusta’s Bangor campus participate in the program, helping the district address staffing shortfalls while getting paid and gaining valuable work experience. “We use the term ‘early and often’ to describe what we want for our students in terms of field experiences and this is a great way to both serve the community and to help hone their skills so it’s just terrific,” Bishop said. UMaine alumnus Jon Doty, assistant superintendent of RSU 34, was also interviewed for the piece. The Bangor Daily News covered the accelerator program as well.