ROWLAND, NC (WBTW) – The Public Schools of Robeson County, like many districts across the Carolinas, is in desperate need of certified teachers.
However recently, they use technology to help combat that challenge.
“In Robeson County just like a lot of county’s through the region we have a high number of classes that are not being covered by certified teachers just simply because of the job market,” said Eric Sanders, Principal at Rowland Middle School.
While Sanders and his staff look to fill teaching positions of their own, a couple of weeks ago they decided to tap into another resource 35 miles away at Littlefield Middle School in Lumberton.
“In the 7th and 8th grade, their teachers are simulcasting lessons to us,” he mentioned.
This is the second week the pilot program PSRC Cafe has been going on, which uses Google Hangout to supplement lesson plans.
“Some of us had skyped our children and we whoa wait a minute. If this will work in our personal lives why wouldn’t this work in our scenario here needing teachers, especially math teachers,” said Dr. Linda Emanuel, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for the PSRC.
Rowland Middle is the only middle school in the district that uses this program.
As far as implementing this in other schools, the district says bringing in certified teachers is its main focus.
“This is a way of thinking outside of the box by using technology and good teachers. This is a short term solution to a long term problem,” Sanders stated.
