The country has been experiencing a shortage of teachers. The district is developing this new program so that it is able to fill staff positions by investing in its teachers and making them feel valued. Brochure printing could be used to promote a new educational program and share more details about it.
The program can be described as a mini university specifically for the teachers of Waterbury. It has been named Waterbury U and it gives teachers the chance to earn micro-credentials and master’s degrees. All staff in the education industry including administrators and paraeducators are eligible to sign up for the program. At the time of writing, about 80 educators have opted in.
Dr. Verna Ruffin, the superintendent for Waterbury Public Schools, commented to say:
"We want them to take a look in Waterbury and say, 'Oh, my goodness, you know, this is an opportunity for me to continue to work, I can go to school, I can earn some micro-credentials…I could stay in a district that values me."
Ruffin also said that the program benefits students because the teachers are able to use what they learn in the program to improve the quality of their lessons immediately.