Tag: Greg Stotler

ECC Launches Education Apprenticeship to Strengthen Local Workforce

April 4, 2025 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College is opening a new door to careers in education through a teacher apprenticeship initiative aimed at strengthening the local workforce and addressing the statewide teacher shortage.

The College is launching pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways that combine coursework, hands-on experience, and grant-funded support to create a practical route for individuals interested in becoming educators.

For more information about ECC’s Teacher Education Apprenticeship Program, email: teacher.apprentice@eastcentral.edu

These programs are designed to support those just beginning their education journey, as well as adults considering a career change—providing opportunities to work in education without leaving the community.

“One of the main ideas behind our Teacher Apprenticeship Model is multiple entry points with defined assistance along the way. Whether someone is just starting their education journey or considering a career change, this program makes it more accessible to become a certified teacher in our service area,” said Greg Stotler, ECC Teacher Education Coordinator.

“We’re helping people build a future in the teaching profession in our community while they continue to work in crucial support roles in our schools within those communities.”

The pre-apprenticeship options prepare participants for success in a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship and include roles such as:

Substitute Teacher
Paraprofessional
Teacher Assistant

Participants can earn certifications and gain valuable experience in local classrooms while continuing their education through ECC’s degree programs:

Associate of Arts in Education
Associate of Arts in Teaching
Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development

In partnership with ECC’s Adult Education and Literacy (AEL) program, the College also received official approval from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to offer an Integrated Education and Training (IET) course. This course provides immediate access to substitute teacher and paraprofessional credentials and can be combined with high school equivalency preparation or academic skill development as needed.

The success of ECC’s teacher apprenticeship initiative is the result of collaboration among several departments at the College. The Center for Workforce Development, AEL and the Education pathway are working together to build accessible, high-quality pathways for future educators. This effort is being led by Stotler, Todd Tracy, Executive Director of the Center for Workforce Development; and Alice Whalen, Director of Adult Education and Literacy.

The apprenticeship pathway includes benefits such as:

Paid work experience in education-related roles
Certification in First Aid/CPR/AED
Substitute teacher credentials
U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Certificate of Completion
Up to $500 in support for qualifying pre-apprenticeship participants

This initiative is part of a larger statewide effort through the Missouri – Southeast Pathways to Work (MoSEPWork) consortium, a collaboration of five colleges working to improve access to innovative pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs in three high-demand sectors: teacher education, nursing, and advanced manufacturing.

MoSEPWork Consortium:

Jefferson College (Lead Institution)
East Central College
Mineral Area College
Three Rivers College
Central Methodist University

The project is funded by a $3.99 million U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Building America – Round 2 (ABA2) grant. East Central College’s portion of the funding totals $793,775 and will support program development through June 2028. The ECC grant budget includes:

Personnel, Fringe & Travel: $324,182
Equipment (including a 5-Axis Mill for Precision Manufacturing): $99,230
Contractual Services, Tuition & Outreach: $298,202
Indirect Costs: $72,161

College Receives State Grant to Encourage Math, Science Teaching Careers

November 1, 2023 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College has been awarded a state “Grow Your Own” grant to encourage students in its education program to pursue careers in teaching math and science at the middle school level.

The College is receiving $45,000 through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in the form of a Developing an Educator Workforce that Expands Yearly (DEWEY) award to address the critical need of STEM teachers in the region.

ECC was one of five two-year colleges in Missouri awarded a DEWEY grant with the intent to inspire more students to pursue careers in education.

Dr. Robyn Walter, ECC Vice President of Academic Affairs, said math and science were strategically chosen due to their historically low enrollment certification rates in the service area, as well as the pressing need for teachers in these fields within local school districts.

“We anticipate that by offering incentives for students to pursue certification areas with historically low enrollment statewide, those students would be more likely to consider those certification areas over others,” Walter said.

Scholarships

Under this innovative initiative, ECC is set to offer $1,000 scholarships to complete their first year of an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) focused on Middle School math or science. Upon completing their second year at ECC and providing proof of enrollment at a transfer institution for certification in Middle School math and science, students will receive an additional $2,000 to continue to pursue their bachelor’s degree.

“We selected these areas due to their historical low enrollment in our service region, and the school districts we serve are in critical need of educators in these fields,” said Greg Stotler, Assistant Professor, Education/Teacher Coordinator at ECC. “Students who choose science or math programs oftentimes are drawn into professions with higher salaries.”

The College expects to award the $1,000 scholarships in the Spring of 2024.

“This money goes straight to students in a joint effort of growing our own educators,” Walter added.

Transfer Schools

The DEWEY grant aligns ECC with their four-year transfer partners, including Missouri S&T and Central Methodist University (CMU), who can further support students through the Missouri Teacher Recruitment Scholarship opportunity during their student teaching experience. CMU and Missouri S&T are among the 15 four-year colleges in the state to receive $70,000 each in DEWEY grants.

ECC is also hopeful that DESE will expand scholarship opportunities to encompass additional certification areas in the future.

The primary objective of the “Grow Your Own” initiative is to contribute to the growth of qualified educators within the state and tackle the challenge of teacher shortages. DESE reports that just over 5 percent of its teaching workforce is either not qualified or underqualified for their positions, equivalent to 3,579 full-time employees, as of December 2022. The most in-demand subjects are elementary education, cross-categorical positions, and early childhood special education.

DESE’s data from 2023-2024 shows a significant decrease in courses taught by instructors with “inappropriate certification,” down from 45,509 in the previous year to 13,314 courses, signifying the positive impact of these types of initiatives.

This initiative, fueled by the DEWEY grant, is a testament to ECC’s commitment to creating opportunities for aspiring educators and addressing critical teacher shortages across the state.

For more information about ECC’s Education programs, visit www.eastcentral.edu/education/education/.

Madison Jolly is President’s Spirit Award Recipient

May 20, 2022 | Campus News ECC Rolla

The 2022 President’s Spirit of East Central College award was presented to Madison Jolly during the May 14 graduation ceremony.

Jolly, of Rolla, graduated Cum Laude with an Associate of Arts in Teaching. ECC president Dr. Jon Bauer presented her with the award.

The prestigious President’s Spirit of ECC award, formerly the Outstanding Student Award, recognizes one student who demonstrates exemplary academic excellence, and significant student involvement during their time at ECC.

Jolly graduated with a 3.8 GPA and she has been an active member of the Beta Omicron Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Jolly also is a member of SMSTA, Student Missouri State Teachers Association.

Jolly will attend Missouri S&T in the Fall to finish her bachelor’s in middle school English education. Her goal is to become a teacher, and she believes that ECC has helped her tremendously in achieving that goal.

“My experience at ECC has been phenomenal. When I first started in August 2020, I had only been on my own for about a month,” Jolly said.” I was forced to start fresh with my life and ECC has helped tremendously.”

“Throughout my experience, I have had teachers reach out to me and help me figure out the net steps in my life and for that I am forever grateful,” she added. “I am now in the process of pursuing my absolute dream job of teaching middle school. As I move on to Missouri S&T and eventually my own classroom, ECC will always have a special place in my heart.”

Greg Stotler, assistant professor of education and teacher education coordinator, taught Jolly in several classes.

“Ms. Jolly is one of the most driven students I have had,” he said. “Her passion for the teaching profession is commendable — she will be a future leader in our field.

“I am excited to watch the next chapter of her journey as an S&T Miner.”

Along with Stotler, other instructors agreed that Jolly is an excellent recipient for the award.

“Madison is an excellent student. She attends class religiously, pays attention, asks insightful questions, and completes her work on time,” said Timothy Deerfield, instructor of psychology and sociology.

“More than that, however, she puts effort into her work that is above and beyond what is expected. Even in upper-level courses, her work stands out as thorough and above average,” Deerfield continued.

“She is an excellent example of the quality of thought and work that we hope to see in our ECC students. Without a doubt, she deserves this award.”

Matthew Gifford, instructor of philosophy and religion, said Jolly has a bright future.

“Madison is 100 percent self-made and completely authentic. She will not be held back and will always overcome,” he said.

“Her future is bright; however, you will not find her in the spotlight, she will be helping those in need and doing what is good,” he commented. “If she chooses the life of fame and riches it will not be by chance, she will succeed and pull others up with her.”

Education Instructor Receives Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award

December 19, 2017 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

There is no formula for a “perfect teacher.” It’s a message East Central College Education Instructor Greg Stotler delivers to his students every semester.

“As teachers, we strive to be the best we can and know our limitations,” he explained. “Flexibility is key. No class is the same. Teaching takes a tremendous amount of skill in listening and evaluating.”

It’s also important to have a sense of humor. “Good” teachers, Stotler argues, are not afraid to laugh at themselves or with their students.

“If I had to designate one requirement for teachers it would be the ability to laugh. Life is funny. Some days it may come in the form of joy and others it may come in the form of irony or even discomfort. Laughter helps us survive.”

Stotler practices what he preaches. It’s one of the many reasons he is such a valuable resource to students. It’s also one of the reasons he was awarded the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017 – an annual recognition of educators in the St. Louis area who are examples of excellence in their field.

According to his nomination form (which is kept anonymous), “Greg Stotler provides a positive and comfortable classroom environment that empowers students to ask questions freely. He consistently engages his students in a manner that forces them to think outside their comfort zone in order to connect their understanding of concepts to their experiences.”

It added that his teaching is not limited to just the classroom. Stotler can often be found around campus engaging students in activities. He continuously pushes students to access their full potential and to test their limits.

Stotler credits his success in education to his upbringing.

“I went into teaching because I was surrounded by amazing teachers, family, friends and colleagues in and outside school,” he said. “A countless number of people believed in me and always supported my path. Those people knew when to push me and knew when I needed guidance, always demonstrating that life is not a solitary endeavor.”

He brings that mentality to the classroom every day.

“I love preparing students for one of their first ‘teaching’ roles through our coursework. During this experience, a wonderful combination of nervousness and excitement resonates from the students,” he said.