Project NURTURE

Douglas County Awarded Grant to Develop New Teachers
Posted on 11/01/2019

The Douglas County School System, in collaboration with Georgia State University, is on the forefront of developing new teachers to serve in the community through a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The grant will create two non-traditional pathways for a select group of individuals who exhibit a passion to become educators and who commit to teaching in Douglas County for a minimum of three years after receiving certification. 

The Douglas County School System (DCSS) will partner with Georgia State University (GSU) on this innovative project. At the end of two years, participants in the rigorous program will receive a master’s degree in education. Through the Network for Urban and Rural Teachers United for Residency Engagement (Project NURTURE), Douglas County will offer opportunities to two different groups of aspiring teachers. 

For the teacher residency pathway, DCSS will select four candidates each year who hold a bachelor’s degree and who desire to become a middle or high school math or science teacher. Those selected for the program will receive a stipend of $25,000 while they spend a year paired with a master teacher in a school in Douglas County. In addition, the program participant will complete coursework through GSU. 

A second pathway is for para-professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree and desire to become a certified teacher in special education. Up to five participants will be selected for the first year of the program. The para-professionals will continue their work in the classroom under the guidance of a master teacher and will complete coursework through GSU.

This innovative program will offer more than 60 individuals, including many para-professionals who already work in our school system, a path to become professional educators in Douglas County and an opportunity to earn a master’s degree. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Georgia State University for this unique program,” said DCSS Superintendent Trent North. “Program NURTURE gives us the opportunity to develop and retain the best and brightest people who want to become educators. The teachers who complete this rigorous program will be assets to our schools for years to come.” 

The application process will open in January, 2020. Those interested in applying for the program may contact Davin Auble at [email protected]. The first group of participants will begin their coursework at GSU during the summer of 2020.

 

 

 

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