For those with a bachelor’s degree and passion to make a difference in the lives of children in the Cy-Fair area, Lone Star College-CyFair’s Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) may lead to your new career in the new year.
“The ATCP program was great! The instructors and staff were helpful and the material was relevant,” said Amanda Armour, who teaches at CFISD’s Watkins Middle School. “The program was straight-forward (no surprises) and moved at a steady pace. I truly enjoyed my internship year and have been rehired for next year.”
ATCP students must complete a minimum of 300 hours of coursework, field experience and training, but can choose an internship or clinical certification route in one of more than 45 partnership school districts.
Students who choose the one-year internship under the supervision of the ATCP receives a full salary and benefits, but must secure his or her own teaching position. The clinical option involves one semester of non-paid placement in a school district and teachers work with a mentor teacher at an area K-12 school as well as with an LSC-ATCP supervisor.
Substitute Teacher Training is also available. It defines the true role of a substitute teacher and encompasses teaching strategies, classroom management techniques, experience with lesson plans and guidelines for decision making.
LSC-CyFair’s ATC Program offers five of the major classes online, including Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility, Generalist Teacher Preparation, Components of Special Education, Internship I and Internship II. For information on LSC-CyFair’s program contact Donna Daughdrill at 281.290. 3957.
“The Lone Star College’s ATC Program is well respected by the school districts in the greater Houston area for the quality of alternative certified teachers we produce,” said Jennifer Leadbetter, ATC Program director. “We have information sessions monthly for prospective candidates of our program.”
The meetings will provide information on critical areas as well as allow potential teachers a chance to ask questions about admissions, coursework and program requirements.
The next information session at LSC-CyFair, 9191 Barker Cypress, is not until Feb. 27, 2017; however, other sessions at other LSC campuses are available. For the dates and times of upcoming meetings or general ATCP information, call 281.312.1716 or e-mail ATCP@LoneStar.edu.