by Jessica Carter, PhD
Accelerated Program Designed to Help Teachers Get Ahead
The Lowcountry is just one area that has been affected nationally, facing a historically high rate of teacher vacancies. Schools are looking for qualified teachers, specifically for grades 2-6.
The Lowcountry Graduate Center is highlighting the College of Charleston’s Elementary Education Master of Arts in Teaching program this month. The Accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education program provides candidates with the academic and practical experience needed to launch a rewarding, new career teaching children in grades two through six. Candidates complete 39 credit hours including a yearlong placement in selected Title-One public elementary schools. The program features an accelerated schedule completed in 12-13 months and results in 2-6 grade certification and a Master’s degree; the program has previously taken 24 months to complete. The program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation.
Recent Elementary M.A.T graduates have won multiple school level “ROY”s (Rookie Teacher of The Year) and Chris Green (M.A.T ‘21) was The 2022 Charleston County School District (CCSD) Elementary Rookie Teacher of the Year. Clanice Barron (M.A.T. ’20) has recently been named teacher of the year at her CCSD school site during only her 3rd year of teaching.
Since the revision of Elementary M.A.T in 2019, the program has been able to increase enrollment and attract very high-quality teacher candidates who bring impressive academic and professional credentials and experiences to the Elementary classroom. The Elementary M.A.T graduates are highly sought after and have won school site and district level teaching awards recently. In addition, Dr. Eakes and Dr. Lanahan have forged several close partnerships with local Title One Schools to secure yearlong placements in local school sites to create experiential educational opportunities where students often move from field student to clinical practice intern, to classroom teacher, and then finally to grade level and school leaders at the same school site.
For more information about the program or questions you have regarding your career path, go to: https://www.lowcountrygradcenter.org/ or call or text: 843-637-9041
As an added bonus, applicants interested should consider applying for the South Carolina SC Teachers / Career Changers Loan: https://www.scstudentloan.org/sites/default/files/2021-22%20TLPCareer%20Changers%20ApplicationPN%20f%E2%80%8Cinal%203.3.21.pdf