Why Hire An NC TEACHer?

What makes an NC TEACHer highly qualified?

All NC TEACH participants enter the program with a completed Bachelors degree, meeting a minimum GPA requirement and passing through a rigorous admissions process. They also enter the program committed to educating North Carolina students, bringing practical professional experience in their content area to the classroom. NC TEACH begins with a pre-service program designed to prepare teachers for classroom entrance.

All NC TEACH class instructors are either master teachers or university faculty members with expertise in all topics covered in the NC TEACH curriculum. The pre-service program and on-going courses are designed to expose participants to the profession, build a strong sense of shared purpose, and provide the knowledge and skills critical to effectively perform the duties of a teacher immediately upon entering a classroom.

Qualified participants will be recommended for a provisional lateral entry teaching license when they enter a teaching position in a North Carolina public school. While teaching, participants complete requirements for full licensure through NC TEACH at participating host universities. It takes a minimum of 12 months to complete the program and be recommended for a clear initial license.
 
Participants may choose to complete their coursework online, face to face or blend both delivery models. The NC TEACH curriculum was designed around the premise that teaching is a highly developmental process and includes comprehensive training in:

What makes an NC TEACHer the best choice?

NC TEACH is unique in that it is a comprehensive, cohort-based program that offers support and advisement that begins with the recruitment of the prospective teacher, and extends through all program courses and activities through the licensure process.  Participants do not “just take a bunch of courses” but participate in a supportive university-based learning community around a comprehensive, high quality series of modules/courses, activities, and support that are appropriate to the development of a beginning teacher through his/her first and second year in the classroom.  

The most exciting thing an NC TEACHer can bring to a classroom is real world experience in the content area they teach. From military professionals to pharmaceutical lab chemists, NC TEACHers have the ability to engage students with real-life examples and they excel in connecting the curriculum to students' future careers.

To date, over 1,500 NC TEACHers have been employed in more than 150 schools in 85 counties in NC. The retention rate for NC TEACHers after the first year of teaching is over 80%.  NC TEACHers who obtained the NC lateral entry, clear initial, or continuing teaching license average a greater than 90% retention rate. NC TEACH enrolls and prepares more secondary math and science teachers per year than any other single teacher education program in the state.

What subject areas may NC TEACHers be licensed in?

Birth-Kindergarten (B-K)

General Elementary (K-6)

Secondary Grades (9-12): Math, Science, English, Social Studies

Middle Grades (6-9): Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Studies

K-12: Special Education, Foreign Languages, Art, Physical Education, Business Education, Health Education, Dance, Music, Theatre, Family & Consumer Science

How do I hire an NC TEACHer?

First year lateral entry teachers already employed in your school may be eligible to participate in NC TEACH. You may refer them directly to NC TEACH for further advisement and application information. After an NC TEACH participant completes their pre-service coursework (generally taken in the summertime), they will be eligible for hire at your school with a provisional lateral entry teaching license. If you have any questions regarding hiring an NC TEACHer, please contact their host university coordinator or an NC TEACH staff member.

How are NC TEACHers supported to succeed?

NC TEACHers receive mentoring and support through their host university and they will also receive a beginning teacher mentor through their assigned LEA as a new NC public school teacher. NC TEACH is committed to supporting our participants through a resource-rich website, strong host university connections, our program position within the UNC Center for School Leadership Development and by providing advisement to participants based on their individual needs.

How do I get more information?

You may join our e-newsletter listserv by emailing us. Please contact us for additional information and/or brochures and other printed materials.

How can I schedule an information session at my school or district?

Please email us to schedule an information session on-site at your school or district.

How can I share this information with others?

Please feel free to print or email the information included in the Information Sheet for LEAs document.