EDGE addresses a growing challenge in our community school system.
There has been a decline in the pursuit of teaching careers within our community, which is driving an unparalleled teacher shortage. EDGE is designed to reverse this trend, preparing community members to not only gain expertise in the subject they want to teach (math, science, history, or English), but to also become excellent licensed educators through a multi-pronged 2-year program:
• Cutting-edge coursework in the latest education methodologies
• Internship teaching with up to 3 courses in your domain
• Full-time employment with a $45,000 salary and benefits
Participants with a background in math, science, history, or English will take cutting-edge coursework in educational methodologies at no cost to them, leading to ISBE licensure.
EDGE is a full-time program in which participants will teach two to three courses in participating schools over two years, earning a salary of $45,000 with competitive benefits. Successful graduates will be eligible for promotion to the DEEP program of Walder Science, where they will teach full-time in our schools earning a salary beginning at $65,000.
Not only will this approach help alleviate the teacher shortage, EDGE will increase the number of highly-qualified and ISBE licensed educators in middle schools, high schools, and yeshivas to help raise the standard of education and professionalism in our schools.
EDGE Mission
Empowering aspiring Jewish school educators to become licensed math, science, history, or English teachers, in middle school, high school, or yeshiva, through coursework in educational methodologies, mentored classroom teaching experience, and a full-time salary.
About Walder Science
Founded by Dr. Joseph and Elizabeth Walder in 2000, Walder Science is committed to providing educational science enrichment through the prism of Jewish values. For two decades, Walder Science has enriched the lives of children and adults in the Chicago area with innovative opportunities to explore, research and interact with a variety of scientific disciplines.