Learn, Earn, Return. That's the idea that I.B.M. is now touting, in a few more words, for its employees with the new "Transition to Teaching" program. And what a program it could be.
As you might have noticed, there is a real dearth of good math and science teachers at the undergraduate level in the U.S. (how bad is it? Let's just say that Jake used to be a high school chemistry teacher). To counteract that problem, I.B.M. is now beginning a corporate push to do something about it. Starting with 100 employees in New York and North Carolina, the program pushes the idea of teaching as a second career for employees in their early 50s, especially those with math and science skills. And by support we mean: employees will continue to work for the company while they complete coursework to become certified, the company will pay up to $15,000 per employee for tuition and stipends, teachers will be granted a three-month paid leave of absence while they complete their student teaching and the company will help place employees into schools.
Considering the number of recent retirees we know who are beginning to dabble in teaching, Gothamist thinks that this is both a really great idea and a no-brainer. Now we just want more companies to follow in big blue's footsteps. What do you think?
