South Carolina Recruits Teachers of Tomorrow to Fill Teacher Shortage
South Carolina’s teacher shortage has been getting worse in recent years, with more than 4,800 teachers leaving the profession last year and 480-plus positions open for the current school year, according to a recent report from the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement. Now, the South Carolina Department of Education (ED) has added another alternative certificate program that enables individuals without an education degree to become professional educators.
The department approved Teachers of Tomorrow, an alternative teacher licensure program that gives prospective teachers the opportunity to complete part of their training online. The Post and Courier of Charleston reports that program participants will spend one year in the classroom as interns and complete more than 300 hours of the company’s online courses.
The initial $295 program fee has been waived for South Carolina participants, according to the announcement. Participants will pay the remaining $4,000 program cost over their first year as a salaried teacher.
Teachers of Tomorrow joins the department’s seven other alternative certificate programs: Program of Alternative Certification for Educators; Greenville Alternative Teacher Education Program; Teach for America; American Board; Adjunct Teacher Certification; Career and Technology Education; and Montessori Initial Certification.
A new website, SouthCarolinaTeachers.org, is now live for individuals interested in teaching in South Carolina and enrolling in the program.