The UT Martin WestTeach Program is accepting applications for its 2024 class.
Applicants should be K-12 teachers who want to serve as leaders in their schools while staying in the classroom. They must submit their application with a letter of recommendation from their principal. One teacher per school district will be selected with a maximum of 30 members per class.
WestTeach is a teacher-development program in the 21 counties of West Tennessee. The WestTeach mission is to engage and equip West Tennessee teachers with tools and leadership skills for success in and outside the classroom.
The program topics will expose teachers to relevant and influential issues that can shape and reshape the classroom engagement for their students. Teachers will be challenged and equipped to translate their WestTeach experiences into transformational opportunities for their students. The program begins Aug. 26-27 and ends Dec. 17 with a graduation ceremony at UT Martin.
Program sessions will be held across West Tennessee over a five-month period. Session topics include agriculture and entrepreneurship (Aug. 26-27 in Martin/Union City), humanity of leadership (Sept. 25 in Jackson), creating partnerships for economic development (Oct. 30 in Dyersburg) and community building (Nov. 14 in Brownsville).
Tuition is $250 and must be paid by the participant or their school system before the first session begins. Upon graduation, each teacher will receive a $100 gift card to be used for their classroom sponsored by Leaders Education Foundation, who is the signature sponsor for the program.
Other sponsors include ATA CPAs + Advisors, Yvette Blue, BlueOval SK, Security Bank, SIC Project Management, TRANE Company, Cary & Lalania Vaughn and the Community Foundation of West Tennessee. To apply, visit utm.edu/westteach. For more information, contact Virginia Grimes, WestStar assistant director, at 731-881-7787.
Photo: The WestTeach Development Program Class of 2023 is shown at its graduation ceremony from December 2023. Class of 2023 graduates included (front row, L-R) MariKate Estes. Brittany Reeves, Holly Thompson, Sheronda Rivers, Kelly Vonner, Susan McGovern, Stacie Carlton, (back row, L-R) WestStar Leadership Development Program Manager Jennifer Smiley, Amelia Morrison, Britni Singletary, Haley Stafford, Danielle Johnson, Dana Helton, Jenilyn Sipes, Susan Dyer, Natalie Salmon, Miranda Hildenbrandt and WestStar Assistant Director Virginia Grimes.
