Union County school district inspires next generation to become teachers

MONROE, N.C. — The Union County Public Schools Board of Education has plans to get more teachers in the classroom by recruiting the young talent that’s already in their high schools.

UCPS wasn’t focused Tuesday night on the number of teacher vacancies in the district.

The district is taking matters into its own hands with a program to ensure it can inspire the next generation to become Union County teachers.

Union County School board members approved a first-of-its-kind program to create the district’s own pipeline of future teachers.

“We cannot rely anymore just on states, our nation,” Superintendent Andrew Houlihan said. “We’ve got to do all we can as a local community.”

The district will partner with South Piedmont Community College and Wingate University to invest in students and employees who want to become classroom teachers while removing barriers to pursuing a teaching license.

“A No. 1 incentive for them is they want to go to school debt-free,” Houlihan said.

Next Stop: TeachUCPS will offer two pathways to a career in education.

One way is an associate’s pathway where high school students can obtain an associate’s degree and start teaching within two years of graduation.

“Students will exit high school, not only with a high school diploma, they will also exit with a teacher-preparation associates degree,” said Susan Rodgers, assistant superintendent of Academics.

Union County school district inspires next generation to become teachers

There are also traditional pre-apprentice or university pathways.

Students can enroll in classes in the ninth grade and pursue a college degree through the Road to Wingate Scholarship Program.

The associate’s degree is a zero-tuition cost and the Road to Wingate Scholarship is $2,500 per year.

There are also opportunities for the 550 people currently working as teaching assistants in Union County Public Schools.

“This pathway allows a TA that does not have an associate’s degree to gain entry into SPCC and then move to Wingate University,” said Bashawn Harris, assistant superintendent of Human Resources.

Anyone going through the TeachUCPS program must commit to joining the district for several years after earning the required credentials.

“This is going to be an investment in our current employees, and our current students,” Houlihan said.

Those taking part in the program would have to commit to working a minimum of three years in a Title I school or four years in other schools.

Interested students should contact their school counselor. Interested teaching assistants can reach out to UCPS Human Resources.

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