Teach Like a Packer
Pathways to Becoming a Certified Teacher (Current Employees Only)
Participant Requirements:
- Must be hired by the district as a teacher of record with a provisional teaching certificate issued by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission
- Must hold a bachelor's degree in some field other than education
- Agrees to enroll in one of the below Alternative Certification Programs upon hiring
- Southwest Georgia RESA https://www.swresa.org/gatapp
- Wiregrass Georgia Technical College GaTAPP Program https://www.wiregrass.edu/academics/gatapp
- Agrees to complete the program in a maximum of two (2) years
- Agrees to set checkpoints with Principal and Human Resources and understands that If not on track for completion at January checkpoints, will be ineligible for contract renewal
- Agrees to terms that if participants decide during the program to change to a Master of Arts in Teaching program, they will owe the district back the program fees already paid
District Requirements:
- District agrees to pay all program fees upfront
- Human Resources Department will provide support and regular monitoring for each candidate
- Principal will work with candidate to ensure support provided for balancing job duties and program requirements
Participant Requirements:
- Must be employed by the district and not hold a bachelor's degree.
- Must complete an application with Human Resources and Employee Relations for program acceptance.
- Must agree to seek an education degree in elementary, middle, or secondary education (excludes physical education).
- Employees must pay for courses upfront and submit documentation for reimbursement.
- Maximum reimbursement rate per credit hour of $182 and a maximum fee reimbursement per semester of $500
- Reimbursement is only for costs not covered by a state or federal grant or scholarship program. All participants will have to submit proof of completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Reimbursement will be tiered on individual academic course grades each semester:
- A= 100%
- B = 85%
- C = 70%
- Proof of course completion (final grades) and tuition & fee payment will be submitted each semester to Human Resources and Employee Relations for verification and processing each semester/quarter.
District Requirements:
- District will process reimbursement payments as follows:
- The payment to the individual will be processed in the month preceding the end of the term or quarter, provided all documentation is submitted in a timely manner
- Reimbursement payments will not count toward TRS or other retirement programs and will not be subject to payroll taxes (Medicare, Federal or State Taxes, or other elected benefit contributions)
- The maximum reimbursement rate per credit hour is $182, and the maximum fee reimbursement per semester is $500. Reimbursement for the tuition rate will be done per class and credit hour based on final grades. Reimbursement for fees will be done per semester/quarter based on the college or university program fee structure.
- Upon program completion, the employee is guaranteed an interview for open teaching positions in the district.
- Human Resources will provide support and regular monitoring for each candidate.
- Principal or supervisor will work with candidate to ensure support provided for balancing job duties and program requirements.
Georgia Educator Ethics (360) Course – Any employee participating in one of the above programs will be eligible to have the cost of the Georgia Educator Ethics Course covered by the district. The cost is $30 per test.
GACE Test Preparation – GACE preparation course will be offered Fall and Spring for employees needing to take the GACE. Information will be announced as dates and times are determined.
Examples of Options to a Bachelor's Degree in Education:
- Southern Regional Technical College Associate Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education
- Articulation Agreements with Albany State University and Thomas University for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education
- SRTC https://southernregional.edu/transfer-agreements
- Albany State University
- Thomas University https://www.thomasu.edu/majors/bachelor-degrees/education-degrees/education-bachelor-degrees/
- Valdosta State University
- https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/education/teacher-education/
- Offers a fully online elementary education degree
- Gordon Sate College Para to Teacher Program
- Online program for current paraprofessionals
- Leads to a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education
- Must complete what essentially equals an associates degree prior to starting the education program. Can be completed with Gordon or transferred in.
- Program begins every Fall and takes two years to complete.
- https://www.gordonstate.edu/academics/school-education/elementary-special-education/parapro-to-teacher-education-program/index.html
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