A streamlined pathway for recruiting physics teachers

The PhysTEC project at UMass Dartmouth involves recruitment and preparation of physics teachers under a streamlined 4+1 pathway. Established in the first year of the project, the pathway is a five-year program that combines existing BS and MS programs into a formal plan of study. Students in the program will be fully licensed physics teachers with a dual Physics BS and MAT degree. They will be well prepared in both physics content and education courses to be highly qualified and certified physics teachers. This carefully designed, intentional program replaces the ad-hoc routes students used to take previously. Recruiting activities are carried out both internally and externally. Internally, physics majors were made aware of the 4+1 program via advising. We focused on entering freshmen classes visited by project members and the teacher in residence to discuss the 4+1 pathway and other career options. We also visited large introductory classes with the TIR to raise awareness of the program and to attract physics majors and minors. We highlighted physics teaching using APS survey data including severe shortage and high level of job satisfaction. External recruiting activities were conducted through open house events and community partnership such as the Physics Alliance.