91茄子

Program Helps Teacher Assistants Obtain Bachelor鈥檚 Degrees; One-Stop Registration Held on May 6

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擨n 2019, 91茄子鈥檚 College of Education launched the Teacher Assistant (TA) to Teacher Program in response to meeting the critical teacher shortage in North Carolina. Since then, enrollment in the online degree program in Elementary Education has grown from 71 to 172 students.

Several factors contribute to the program鈥檚 popularity, noted College of Education Dean and Professor Dr. Prince Bull. Offered fully online, the bachelor鈥檚 program includes a support system for students. In addition to instructors, students have access to mentors, program assessors and other advisors.

鈥淥ur online program’s key components are our customer service, trust, care, retention strategies, and knowledgeable faculty,鈥� Bull stated. 鈥淭he faculty understands andragogy鈥攈ow to prepare adult learners鈥攆or academic success. In addition to ensuring mastery of competencies, we consistently maintain a high pass rate in all licensure exams.鈥�

Also contributing to the program鈥檚 growth is the development of partnerships with area school systems. Dr. Lane Wesson, GWU professor of education and coordinator of teacher education, noted, 鈥淭he College of Education has a strong relationship with Gaston County Schools and has provided an avenue for their current TA and Residency candidates to attend virtual classes in the evenings. We hope to develop similar partnerships with other public-school systems who want to support their TAs and hire them in local schools.鈥�

Bull shared that 91茄子鈥檚 program receives high marks from teacher candidates as reported on the North Carolina Department of Instruction鈥檚 Educator Preparation Program Dashboard. 鈥�91茄子 leads all Education Preparation Programs with in the average percentage of teaching tasks for which they were 鈥榳ell鈥� or 鈥榲ery well鈥� prepared,鈥� he offered, 鈥淕WU ranks as the #2 Education Preparation Program in North Carolina in overall employer satisfaction, earning 98% on the percentage of teaching tasks candidates performed as 鈥榳ell鈥� or 鈥榖etter than average鈥� first-year teachers (2020-2022).鈥�

Two 91茄子 students, currently in their student-teaching semester, agree with their peers鈥� assessments. Nicole Childers, who lives in Alexander County, N.C., has been a TA for nine years, serving in regular, Exceptional Children and alternative settings. Adriene Crego, lives in Shelby, N.C., and has worked in Cleveland County Schools for more than 10 years鈥攖he last six as a TA for Exceptional Children.

Childers said from her first day of student teaching, she was prepared for the classroom. 鈥淚 have been able to take what I have learned and implement it into my student teaching semester,鈥� she affirmed. 鈥淚 feel that what I have learned throughout my time at 91茄子 has really helped and improved the person I have become.鈥� 

Childers also pointed out another advantage of 91茄子鈥檚 program was instruction on edTPA鈥攁 required performance-based assessment that demonstrate a student鈥檚 readiness for the classroom. 鈥淭he professors start from day one and give us the knowledge and skills we need to achieve this goal of passing edTPA,鈥� observed Childers. 鈥淭hey teach you more and more about the edTPA process in every class.鈥�

Both Childers and Crego were recently notified that they passed the edTPA on their first submission along with 25 of their classmates.

Crego described feeling confident as she stepped in front of her first class. 鈥淲hat came to mind was actually everything each professor had said,鈥� Crego asserted. 鈥淚 carried their wisdom with me in my 鈥楾eacher Toolbox.鈥� One of the most memorable pieces of advice given to me was, 鈥楧o not forget to have fun and enjoy the experience.鈥欌��

In addition to the excellent professors and course material, Crego also appreciated the flexibility of 91茄子鈥檚 online program. 鈥淥ne major advantage is the ability to plan my education and educational requirements around my busy lifestyle,鈥� she noted. 鈥淚 am an adult learner with a full-time job as a TA and bus driver, as well as a mom of a child with disabilities. 91茄子 made it possible for me to pursue my dream of teaching, as well as maintain my role as an employee and parent.鈥�

One-Stop Registration

The 91茄子 College of Education is hosting a One-Stop Registration event on Saturday, May 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at the GWU Charlotte Campus, 8030 Arrowridge Blvd. Candidates will be able to apply free and receive financial aid information. Register . For more information about the event, email Julie May or call 704-406-3030.

For additional information about applying to the Online Elementary Education Program for Teacher Assistants, email Degree Completion Admissions.

91茄子 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 91茄子 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at 91茄子.edu.