New TCC program a pipeline to increase the supply, diversity of PreK-8 teachers

Tidewater Community College will start a teacher preparation specialization beginning with its summer session 2020.

The Associate of Science in General Studies with Specialization in Teacher Preparation (PreK-8) will prepare students to transfer to many four-year teacher licensure PreK-8 programs.

The program is a response to Gov. Ralph Northam tasking Virginia’s educational systems to create new pathways to help increase both the supply and the diversity of quality teachers throughout the Commonwealth.

“We know Virginia’s teachers are in high demand but are also in short supply,” said Jenefer Snyder, dean of Social Sciences and Education at TCC. “Many TCC students have often completed courses and degrees with the goal of becoming teachers. Now students have a clear curriculum map of courses to help them progress more efficiently to their goal. This streamlined approach aims to eliminate barriers of extra years of schooling while positively impacting the educator pipeline.”

The TCC program meets Virginia Department of Education teaching guidelines and curriculum requirements for teaching degrees in the state.

All of TCC’s campuses offer the 61-credit associate degree. Summer classes begin May 18.

For information on enrollment, call 757-822-1111.