Alternative Pathways to Teaching
“Call Me Mister”
The “Call Me Mister” program seeks to recruit, train, certify and secure employment for 200 black males as elementary teachers in South Carolina 's public schools. Call Me MISTER (which stands for Men Instructing Students Toward Effective Role Models) combines the special strengths of Clemson University with individualized instructional programs offered at Benedict College, Morris College, Claflin University, South Carolina State University, and College of Charleston, as well as four two-year institutions, Midlands Technical College, Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Tri-County Technical College and Trident Technical College. Contact: 800.640.2657, www.callmemister.clemson.edu, or e-mail wholton@clemson.edu.
Program for Recruitment and Retention of Minority Teachers
This program recognizes the need to greatly expand the pool of minority teacher candidates. Housed at South Carolina State University, it recruits and supports non-traditional students (primarily teacher aides and technical college transfers) by offering scholarships and academic assistance.
Career and Technology Education
While Career and Technology Education (CATE) teachers may follow the traditional pathway through college to become educators, the state provides for an alternative path that gives credit for work experience rather than requiring an undergraduate degree.
Diverse Pathways
The primary goal of the Diverse Pathways project is to support the development of a teaching force in South Carolina that reflects the state's population by encouraging a pathway from the two-year college level to four-year teacher education programs.
Program of Alternative Certification for Educators(PACE)
To address critical teaching shortages in South Carolina, the South Carolina General Assembly provided for a conditional certification program as part of the 1984 Education Improvement Act. The purpose of the program is to enable degreed individuals, who otherwise do not meet certification requirements, to gain employment in the public schools in a critical need subject area teaching position and/or in a critical geographic area where teacher shortages exist, as determined annually by the State Board of Education. Eligible candidates are enrolled in a series of training seminars and workshops as well as graduate courses which lead to their professional certification.
The Program of Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) is South Carolina's alternative route for certification.
Troops to Teachers / Spouses to Teachers
Troops to Teachers is a federally funded program assisting former members of the Armed Forces, as well as National Guard and Reserve personnel, with the opportunity to pursue a second career in public education. Eligible veterans may receive either a scholarship of up to $5,000 to assist in attaining teacher certification or a $10,000 incentive bonus for agreeing to teach for three years in specific school districts in South Carolina.
American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE)
Founded in 2001 via a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, ABCTE addresses the need for knowledgeable and dedicated teachers in every classroom. We offer a flexible and cost-effective certification program designed for career changers. ABCTE opens new pathways into the classroom, helping states, districts and communities meet the needs of their students.
To meet its goals, ABCTE has developed the Passport to Teaching certification and the Teach and Inspire program.