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Since its inception in 2019, the Monmouth Rural Education
Initiatives program has worked with more than 150 students at
the liberal arts college, three dozen of which went on to become
teachers in Illinois. The program includes place-based teaching
sites that provide classrooms where students focus on their
local communities.
Educational studies co-chair Craig Vivian said there is a real
need for teachers in rural communities in Illinois.
“We’re in constant contact with the superintendents and the
principals and for the most part, it's dire,” Vivian said. “It
is really hard to keep teachers in rural areas.”
The program just received a $750,000 grant through the federal
Community Project Funding program. CPF is separate from federal
grants and funding apportioned by formula.
Illinois has adopted multiple initiatives to increase its
educational workforce and increase teacher retention rates,
including increased salaries, teacher residency grants and
mentoring programs.
According to statistics from the Illinois State Board of
Education, there were 5,301 unfilled teaching positions around
the state in 2022. That is compared to 4,120 the year before and
2,006 in 2017.
Five universities statewide were chosen for $250,000 Teacher
Residency Grants from the Illinois State Board of Education. At
Southern Illinois University, the Saluki Teacher Residency
Partnership provides financial, mentorship and other benefits to
teaching candidates to get qualified teachers into the
classrooms more quickly.
Vivian said once they can get a commitment from a prospective
teacher, there is a chance they will stay and become a part of
the community.
“If they commit to three to five years, then I think the chances
are that it's more likely that they will decide to stay in a
rural area rather than make a mass exodus to urban areas,”
Vivian said.
Kevin Bessler reports on statewide issues in
Illinois for the Center Square. He has over 30 years of
experience in radio news reporting throughout the Midwest.
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