In need of middle grades teachers

There is a great need for middle school teachers in Caldwell County, and Appalachian State University is prepared to address that need.

ASU is responding to this need by providing a part-time evening Bachelor of Science Middle Grade Education degree completion program at the ASU Center on the campus of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute (CCC&TI) in the fall. The program will offer an opportunity for individuals to pursue the degree during the evening while they are employed during the day.

Dr. Tracy Smith is an associate professor at ASU's Reich College of Education Department of Curriculum and Instruction. She said the part-time evening program will start in August and meet two nights a week from 6 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. She said students will earn a bachelor's degree in middle grades education with two concentration areas among language arts, social studies, science and math. She said students should complete the program in the spring 2011.

“We are taking applications through the summer, but the sooner the better,” Smith said. “Space is limited, but the program is not full yet.”

Cynthia Weaver, the interim director of the ASU Office of Extension and Distance Education, said this is the first undergraduate program for middle grades education provided in Caldwell County. She said the program will help Caldwell County Schools bolster its middle school faculties.

“We have been delivering programs away from the main campus for many years,” Weaver said. “We have done needs assessments in several areas, and teachers are always in high demand. Middle grades education programs are desperately needed throughout the state to address the teacher shortage in middle schools.”

Having the program based at CCC&TI not only serves as a convenience for local residents interested in middle grades education, but the program also will be easier on their wallets. Weaver said the courses in the program will cost students $87.25 per semester hour as long as they are in-state, which is lower than the rate on-campus students pay for ASU tuition. She said students still must purchase their own books.

“For the working adult who wants to go back to school, this is the bargain of the century,” Weaver said.

Smith said ASU also hopes the program will help clear up some of the stereotypes associated with middle grades education and young adolescents. She said many people have misconceptions about this age group and often select elementary or high school. She said the middle school level is not the proverbial nightmare many make it out to be, and it can be quite rewarding.

“There are pervasive stereotypes in middle grades students, but once (teachers) have the opportunity to interact with them they find they are very interested,” Smith said. “People typically find middle grades teaching to be a rewarding career once they have an opportunity.

“Caldwell County Schools are revitalizing their middle schools. Caldwell County has really shown an interest in making their middle schools the best they can. I'm so excited to see a renewed commitment to middle grades education.”

Weaver said providing a middle grades education program in Caldwell County truly is a win-win situation. She said the greatest reward will come from the impact it will have on students.

“We foresee that there will be a number of people who will benefit from this,” Weaver said. “Primarily the students who are coming through the school system will benefit. There is now an opportunity for people who want to teach who were not able to obtain a degree to earn that.”

There are prerequisites that must be met in order for students to enter the program.

Weaver said students must have at least 30 semester hours of transferable college work. She said anyone who has questions or wishes to have a preliminary evaluation of their college transcript(s) for the program may contact the ASU Office of Extension and Distance Education at 1-800-355-4084.

ASU also will start a master's program this summer in Middle Grades Education at CCC&TI. Weaver said Caldwell County Schools is paying for teachers to take one course this summer, and the part-time evening program will start in August. She said the program will take four semesters to complete.

For more information about the middle grades education program and the middle grades master's program, call 1-800-355-4084, or visit the Web page at http://www.ext-dl.appstate.edu/bsmge.html.