South Carolina Center for Teacher Recruitment

Mission: The mission of ProTeam, a middle school recruitment program, is:

to make students who exhibit the potential for success aware of the skills needed to complete college and consider education as a viable career option, and
to expand the pool of minority and male teachers available to the public schools of South Carolina.

Fact: South Carolina and the nation face an acute shortage of minority and male teachers, as well as academically talented students who are interested in teaching as a career.

Overview

The ProTeam Program aims to interest middle school students in the education profession before they become "turned off" to the possibility of a career in teaching. Positive learning experiences and role models are essential to the Program's success.

Piloted in twenty middle schools in 1989-90, the ProTeam Program now serves 48 schools serving approximately 750 students annually (see the ProTeam Directory). ProTeam provides a semester or year-long hands-on course with student driven activities that create opportunities for students to grow as learners.

self-discovery
cooperative group work
service learning
goal-setting
career exploration
family involvement
teaching-like experiences
ProTeam club (optional)

Eligibility Requirements

designed for 7th and 8th graders
top 40% of their class
recommendations from three teachers
must exhibit the potential for successful completion of high school and college

Curriculum

The DreamQuest curriculum is designed to help students set realistic goals for the future that include the steps to prepare for successful completion of high school and college. It includes an emphasis on career development competencies.

The DreamQuest curriculum has eight modules. Each module has required components as well as optional ones. Family involvement activities have been infused throughout the curriculum.

Module One:	I Can Self-Reflect
	provides the opportunity for students to begin reflecting on who they are and learning how to be reflective young adults.
Module Two:	I Can Study
	helps students develop study skills.
Module Three:	I Can Communicate
	stresses the importance of communication.
Module Four:	I Can Teach Others
	explores the basic nature of helping and provides experiences for the students in teacher-like roles.
Module Five:	I Can Be Different
	explores the dynamics of living and working in diverse groups.
Module Six:	I Can Make Decisions
	teaches students how to make wise decisions in their personal and professional lives.
Module Seven:	I Can Set Goals
	encourages students to establish the goal of attending and graduating from college and setting realistic goals for their future.
Module Eight:	I Can Think Positively
	encourages students to develop a positive attitude in their personal relationships, in group work, and toward their education.

Middle schools are encouraged to offer a ProTeam Club as a follow-up to the class as a means of keeping students involved in teacher-like activities and on the right path to success in high school and college. Club sponsors are encouraged to use optional activities from the curriculum at the club meetings.

Also includes:

College campus visits
Educational conferences
Information about high school requirements
Emphasis on service learning and family involvement
Interaction with younger students in teacher-like activities

Program Evaluation

Evaluated annually by an external agency

Other States/Districts Replicating the ProTeam Program

Maryland
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Oklahoma
Nevada

Curriculum Training Available

Curriculum training and materials are available from the South Carolina Center for Teacher Recruitment (stringfellor@rhtc.net).

ProTeam Materials