Southeast Missouri State University signs partnership with Cape Girardeau Public Schools

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – Southeast Missouri State University and Cape Girardeau Public Schools are partnering in hopes of combatting a teacher shortage that has been problematic since the pandemic. 

 A new partnership that was signed Thursday August 8 between the Cape Girardeau Public School District and Southeast Missouri State University. The partnership will allow exclusive access for the school district’s certified employees, discounts to the university’s education and athletic programs, cultural arts and recreation activities as well as a tuition discount.

Cape Girardeau Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Brice Beck shares what this partnership means for the school district. 

“This is going to open up that tuition discount to all graduate programming online,” said Beck. “So even those people who already have a master’s degree or if they have a leadership degree of some sort that can lead to principalship or director this may encourage them to continue that education because it’s not going to put them at such a financial burden anymore.” 

Beck hopes this new partnership will encourage more students to pursue a career in teaching and encourage teachers to further their careers without being afraid of the cost. 

“The most common thing we hear about after a teacher gets a master’s degree is ‘Well I’d like to pursue a specialist in curriculum instruction or more focus on my instruction or more focus on my content,’ but the price is just unreasonable at that point.” 

Debbie Below is the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success at Southeast Missouri State University. She says they hope to encourage more careers in teaching and boost enrollment at SEMO.  

“We see the need to encourage individuals to become teachers and to remain in the profession and to grow in the profession,” said Below. “And we want to be the leader for this region in doing that.” 

Southeast’s President Carlos Vargas says they hope to partner with other schools in the near future.