Several students from local high schools were among those who recently pledged to participate in a West Chester University program that aims to train the next generation of zealous educators.

Through this program, West Chester University partners with school districts in the area as a way to address the teacher shortage.

Faith Bullen of Avon Grove High School, Faith Constein of Antietam High School, Imanni Barrett of Kennett High School, and Marissa Herring of Kennett High School took part in a “signing ceremony” that signifies their commitment to pursue academic journeys that will lead them to careers in education.

West Chester University launched the PRIZE Program in 2023, and since then there have been 69 high school dual-enrollment participants. To date, the following school districts have partnered with West Chester University for the PRIZE Program: Avon Grove School District, Chester-Upland School District, Coatesville Area School District, Colonial School District, Commonwealth Charter Academy, Kennett Consolidated School District, New Hope-Solebury School District, Oxford Area School District, Rose Tree Media School District, School District of Philadelphia, and Susquehanna Township School District.

West Chester University also offers the PRIZE Summer Teacher Academy, a one-week on-campus experience for high school students interested in the teaching profession.

In our Kennett Square Life magazine, we recently profiled Court Dunn, a popular teacher and coach at Upland Country Day School who has had a positive impact on so many students during a five-decade career.

The world can never have enough zealous teachers. We applaud West Chester University and the local school districts who are encouraging and supporting the next generation of teachers. Lee Iacocca, the successful automobile executive, once said, “In a completely rational society, the best of us would be teachers and the rest of us would have to settle for something else.” Indeed. We celebrate athletes and actors and beautiful people who have influence in social media—wouldn’t we be a more rational society if we celebrated teachers above the rest of us?