Partnership prepares future physics teachers
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (UNG) has used a $25,000 Physics Teacher Education Coalition (PhysTEC) grant in the past two years to build a pipeline of physics teachers and do its part to stem a national shortage. The partnership between the Physics & Astronomy Department and the College of Education has recruited 11 future educators, exceeding its goal of 10 recruits.
"We need to support and encourage our best and brightest students to pursue teaching so that all of our high school students who want to take physics courses are able to, and with a highly-qualified teacher," Dr. Sarah Formica, professor of physics and Fuller E. Callaway Professorial Chair, said. "We have a large pool of students to recruit from and a strong collaboration with the College of Education. We are set up for success."
Nicholas Blakeney will become the first UNG student to earn a Bachelor of Science in secondary education with a physics concentration in May 2022. Currently working an internship at Johnson High School in Oakwood, Georgia, Blakeney is one of six 2021 national recipients of the Barbara Lotze Scholarship and will receive a $2,000 stipend awarded by the American Association of Physics Teachers.
Helen Carter is on track to graduate with the same degree in May 2023, along with five others set to graduate with the degree in future years.
Colin Hathaway and Alex Farrell are pursuing both a Bachelor of Science in physics and a Bachelor Science in secondary education with a physics concentration.
We need to support and encourage our best and brightest students to pursue teaching so that all of our high school students who want to take physics courses are able to, and with a highly-qualified teacher.
Dr. Sarah Formica
UNG professor of physics and Fuller E. Callaway Professorial Chair
More students pursuing physics degrees plan to become teachers either through post-baccalaureate work or a Master of Arts in Teaching.
"Most colleges and universities graduate fewer than two trained physics teachers a year, and the most common number of graduates is zero," according to the American Physical Society (APS).
Also, according to APS, "Of the approximately 1,400 new teachers who are hired to teach physics each year, only 35% have a degree in physics or physics education."
Blakeney has a mother and sister who are teachers and three grandparents who worked in schools, making it natural for him to seek out a career in education that will allow him to share his physics acumen.
"Giving students a good experience in a physics classroom can pave the way for more students to choose this career path," Blakeney said.
The depth of knowledge offered by UNG's physics program has given Blakeney confidence as he trains in the classroom, and he knows it will enable him to go deeper into the subject with his future students who show promise.
Dr. Ted Forringer, associate department head of Physics & Astronomy, said UNG is seeking scholarship money to encourage students to enter the field.
"There's such a huge need in the community for well-qualified physics teachers," Forringer said.
Dr. April Nelms, associate dean of the College of Education, appreciates the collaborative nature of the project.
"We're delighted with the work the Physics & Astronomy Department is doing to support teaching. It's a true partnership on both sides," Nelms said. "We look forward to tracking this work over time and seeing an increase in the number of physics educators produced at UNG."
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