During a recent TEP session in South Carolina, a speaker pointed out to the teachers in attendance that the number of manufacturing jobs available in the state is truly amazing, and that industry leaders are scrambling to find qualified candidates. Many of the jobs require only a training certificate or a two-year degree, and salaries are high, he said – but students, parents and teachers aren’t aware of the opportunities, and if they are, they sometimes assume jobs in fields like manufacturing will be low-paying or dangerous.
Several of the teachers attending brought up issues like isolation and lack of networking as common problems in relatively rural schools, causing STEM teachers and students to be unaware of new industries and opportunities. The list of challenges for rural STEM teachers is long, from lack of supplies and lab facilities to the isolation that comes from not being close to a large city center. The recent article in the Atlantic on the topic quoted leaders from rural districts around the country about the challenges of teacher retention and training in STEM subjects; many teachers are handling subjects outside of their realm of expertise, for example, due to staffing issues.
A study conducted of rural districts in Pennsylvania and Ohio came to many of the same conclusions, and added conversations with parents that seemed to reveal a lack of understanding of why STEM classes are important for all students, even those who may not be heading to four-year colleges.
Despite all of these challenges, however, the Atlantic article notes that what most rural STEM teachers want is not a blank check from local businesses; they want to build partnerships with those businesses, bringing industry leaders into their classrooms and giving students glimpses at the labs and workplaces that will excite them about real, concrete STEM job opportunities.
What do you see as the primary challenges rural STEM teachers face? Has your school or community found ways to address them effectively, either within the school or by building partnerships with industry? We would love to hear from you in the comments!