New students in the Lone Star College-North Harris Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) may be eligible for tuition reimbursement under a new state-funded program. The ATCP offers those with a non-education bachelor’s degree the opportunity to change careers and be teaching in a classroom within one year.

LSC-North Harris students who have been accepted into the summer semester, or will be accepted into the fall semester by August 15, are now eligible to receive the state funding. Lone Star College-North Harris will be accepting applications, with a $40 fee, until July for the fall semester. Students in the alternative certification program at other Lone Star Colleges are also eligible.

Students can receive $500 for Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities classes (PPR EC-12), $150 for content courses such as Creating   Successful Classrooms, Generalist EC-6 Teacher Preparation, Learner Centered Instruction, Learner Diversity, Classroom Teaching: 101 and more.  Students may also qualify to receive a $500 stipend for Internship I and II; and $500 for Clinical Teaching.

“This is a state-funded tuition reimbursement, and will be given to students on a first-come, first-served basis until it is gone. It’s very important that interested students apply as soon as possible,” said Felicia Turner, program manager. “This award is being provided by the state of Texas and there is no guarantee that funds will be available next year.”

The goal of the LSC-North Harris Alternative Teacher Certification Program is to prepare non-traditional students to be eligible for teacher certification. The program is a yearlong full-time program that enables participants to meet the requirements for either the elementary or secondary level. Quality is not sacrificed for speed. It is an intense year as interns combine field and coursework. The key to the program's success, however, is its partnerships with area schools. Their generous sharing of time and expertise provides interns with a rich array of opportunities that prepare them well for teaching in the 21st century.

The LSC-North Harris Alternative Teacher Certification Program is devoted to recruiting qualified professionals and providing an internship which results in the certification of effective teachers, who will educate students in the state of Texas.

For more information regarding the program, an ATCP information session will be held on Tuesday, June 22, 2010, at 4 p.m., room CMED 206. Details are also online at LoneStar.edu/nharris-atcp or by contacting Felicia Turner, at Felicia.turner@Lonestar.edu or 281-618-5605.

Lone Star College-North Harris is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit LoneStar.edu/NorthHarris.

With more than 62,000 students in credit classes in spring 2010, and a total enrollment of nearly 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the second largest and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. LSCS consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.
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May 28, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Media Contact:
John Luedemann
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713.875.8719, cell