The University of North Georgia (UNG) is partnering with Forsyth County Schools, Hall County School District, Lumpkin County Schools, and Gilmer County Schools to launch new Education Scholars programs to grow the high-school-to-college educator pipeline. Each program has its own flavor, but the overall goal is to recruit high school students into the field of education through early engaging experiences. At Forsyth County Schools’ Teacher Signing Day this year, six new students were inducted into their Education Scholars program. While in high school, these students take college education courses for dual enrollment while working several hours per week in a local elementary school. Once they enter college at UNG, they can continue to work in classrooms, gaining vital experience, accruing required field placement hours, and earning money while working on their education degrees. The goal is that these students will participate in UNG’s Teacher Candidate Residency Program during their senior year, at which point they would be hired as teachers of record, earning a salary and benefits during their senior year. The TCRP program is meant to create a pipeline, as these college seniors will hopefully continue in these teaching positions upon graduating with their baccalaureate degrees.
Hall County School district just welcomed 29 Education Scholars into their program, which is focused on providing engaging career-based opportunities for students while in high school, including a leadership conference, advocacy at the Capitol, fieldtrips to UNG’s campuses, and access to professional development and mentorship from faculty and college students.
Lumpkin County Schools and Gilmer County Schools have just embarked on their Education Scholars journey by becoming two of the Georgia Department of Education’s Georgia Registered Teaching Apprenticeship Programs. Through the pre-apprenticeship model, high-school students will begin engaging in college-based experience.