AASU to Hold Information Sessions on "Destination: Teaching"

Savannah, GA–Recent college graduates and professionals interested in changing to a career in teaching are invited to attend an information session on Destination: Teaching—Customized Pathways to Get You There. The program is a collaboration between AASU's College of Education and Savannah-Chatham Public Schools to increase the number of high quality teachers in Coastal Georgia.

The goal is to place teachers in classrooms by this fall. Those admitted to the program will take three courses during the summer on the Armstrong Atlantic campus in Savannah and complete the required course work over the next two years while they are teaching. Candidates can specialize in early childhood, middle grades, secondary, health and physical education, or special education.

A substantial number of scholarships, covering summer tuition and a living stipend, will be available under this program for those who agree to teach in the Savannah-Chatham County school district for three years.

"This certification track is for individuals who already have a bachelor's degree," said Paul Beare, dean of AASU's College of Education. "A person with virtually any major can begin teaching, work on meeting certification requirements, and eventually earn a master's degree in education."

Anyone interested in participating in Destination: Teaching must attend one of these sessions at AASU:

Tuesday, January 28
6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Fine Arts Auditorium

Thursday, January 30
6:00 to 8:00 P.M.
Fine Arts Auditorium

Saturday, February 1
11:00 A.M. to noon
University Hall (room 156)

"The program is not intended to replace regular college teacher education programs," said Beare. "It is, instead, one of the alternative options for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree or higher, but did not complete teacher education requirements as part of their degree programs."

Destination Teaching is only one of several alternative pathways to classroom teaching through AASU. The university also works with Coastal Georgia Community College, the Brunswick Center, and the school systems in Brantley, Bryan, Camden, Charlton, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, and Wayne counties to offer certification and course work through the alternative teaching programs.

All teacher candidates must meet the same performance standards, regardless of which pathway is used to obtain certification. Candidates will be pre-assessed to determine their current knowledge and skills in relation to the performance standards. The substance and length of each program will vary according to the teacher candidate's existing knowledge and skills. Potential teachers will be able to choose the most appropriate route for them and will receive support as they progress through their customized program.

Prospective candidates can get more details by contacting Pat Brignati at 912.921.2138 or brignapa@mail.armstrong.edu. Visit www.education.armstrong.edu/gtapp.html for more information about Destination Teaching and other alternative teaching programs at AASU.

 

January 15, 2003