ILLINOIS (WITHERS BROADCASTING) — Golden Apple is working with area school officials to do their part in correcting the teacher shortage in Illinois. Applications are officially open for the ‘Accelerators’ Program that expedites the one-year teacher residency and licensure process. In 2021, Golden Apple is striving to expand the Accelerators program and introduce even more teachers into high-need schools and subject areas.

The Regional Office of Education (ROE) #13 serves schools in Clinton, Jefferson, Marion, and Washington Counties. Regional Superintendent Ron Daniels says their main job is to promote and inform teaching candidates of these types of programs.

The inaugural class of the Accelerators program Golden Apple inducted 30 Accelerators, who started this past June, and are at work completing their teacher licensure and residency to become teachers of record in their own classrooms next summer.

Superintendent of Mt. Vernon Township High School Melanie Andrews worked with the ROE when these programs first came to the area in 2020. She says the Accelerators program complements Golden Apple’s long established Scholars program.

The organization is aiming to accept 150 – 200 Accelerators, add additional licensure pathways including Elementary and Early Childhood Education, and partner with more higher education and school districts across Illinois.

To learn more about or apply for either program, interested parties can visit goldenapple.org.