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School officials expand new program for aspiring Union County teachers

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UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Interested in a career as a teacher?

Union County Public Schools (UCPS) is trying to make it easier for people to become one.

The program called Next stop: TeachUCPS pays the tuition for people pursuing a teaching license at several local colleges and universities, including UNC Charlotte, Wingate University, and South Piedmont Community College. Applications opened on Feb. 1 for the next round of scholarships.

Right now, seven pathways are available for high school students, current teachers, and former UCPS graduates.

This year, it’s expanding to offer more opportunities for teachers looking to move into new roles in middle and high school.

Channel 9 spoke with a teacher at Walter Bicket Elementary School currently in the program who says it changed his life.

Chris Bova says he started as a bus driver.

“Two years, and I drove some of the kids you saw today,” he told Channel 9′s Gina Esposito. “I drove them on the bus, and I fell in love with them so much I thought I could try to get a job in the school. And they gave me a job.”

Bova says he started in a staff position last year making him eligible for Next Stop: TeachUCPS.

‘When I did that, I got into tutoring and helping kids in the class,” he said. “It just fulfilled me. It made me feel like a better person when I was with the kids.”

This year, the program is expanding for teachers wanting to specialize in special education, career and technical education, math, and science, which are areas needed in middle and high schools.

There are 25 teachers enrolled.

“This is my favorite job. I’ve had tons of jobs, and this is my favorite job. I just love seeing the kids each day. I love the little successes, and I mourn the little losses,” Bova said.


Overview of Next Stop: TeachUCPS Pathways

Associate’s Pathway

  • Available to all UCPS high school students
  • Beginning in ninth grade, students complete an aggressive dual enrollment program in partnership with SPCC
  • Students exit high school with a diploma and Teacher Preparation Associate’s degree
  • Zero tuition for an associate’s degree
  • Gateway to Wingate Scholarship = no more than $2,500 per year
  • Eligible for the Transfer Pathway = UCPS covers the cost

Early College Pathway

  • Available to all high school students enrolled at Union County Early College
  • Beginning in ninth grade, students exit high school in 5 years with a diploma and Teacher Preparation Associate’s degree
  • Zero tuition for an associate’s degree
  • Gateway to Wingate Scholarship = no more than $2,500 per year
  • Eligible for the Transfer Pathway = UCPS covers the cost

Pre-Apprentice Pathway

  • This option is currently a CTE pathway at Weddington High and Porter Ridge High
  • Students register as a Teacher Pre-Apprentice
  • Students may be hired by UCPS upon graduation as a teacher assistant and register as an apprentice
  • Students attend SPCC to complete their associate’s degree
  • May attend Wingate University to complete their bachelor’s degree
  • Zero tuition for associate’s degree
  • Gateway to Wingate Scholarship = no more than $2,500 per year
  • Eligible for the Transfer Pathway = UCPS covers the cost

University Pathway

  • This option is currently a CTE pathway at Weddington High and Porter Ridge High
  • Students complete CTE program, Teaching as a Profession and attend a four-year university of their choice
  • May transfer up to seven credits directly to a four-year university
  • Become a classroom teacher four years after high school graduation
  • Student incurs cost of tuition

Employee Pathway

  • Current UCPS instructional classified employees
  • Earn an associate’s degree from SPCC
  • Gateway to Wingate scholarship
  • Become a classroom teacher in two to four years after beginning the program
  • Zero tuition for associate’s degree
  • Zero cost for tuition = UCPS covers the cost

Transfer Pathway

  • Former UCPS graduates
  • Completed associate’s degree from SPCC
  • Gateway to Wingate scholarship
  • Bachelor’s degree and teaching certification at Wingate University
  • Classroom teacher 2 years after beginning the program
  • Student incurs cost for associate’s degree
  • Zero cost for tuition = UCPS covers the cost

Residency Pathway

  • Current UCPS classified instructional employees and former UCPS graduates
  • Completed bachelor’s degree from any accredited college or university
  • Teaching certification at UNC Charlotte for EC, CTE, and math and science for middle and high school grade levels
  • Teaching certification at SPCC for elementary education
  • Classroom teacher 1-2 years after beginning the program
  • Zero cost for tuition = UCPS covers the cost

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