Union County Public Schools (UCPS) is excited to announce Next Stop: TeachUCPS, a teacher pipeline program for students in partnership with Wingate University and South Piedmont Community College (SPCC). This new strategy will help UCPS to grow its own teachers and provide a roadmap that removes financial barriers for pursuing a teaching license.

Next Stop: TeachUCPS has three pathways for high school students. Students can begin taking classes in ninth grade, earn an associate’s degree from SPCC and then enroll in the Road to Wingate program to earn a college degree.

“When I enrolled in the Teaching as a Profession class, I expected to learn the basics of how to be a teacher,” said Mia Anderson, a senior at Weddington High School. “I learned so much more in this class than I ever had in mind. I gained new insight on how different ages of children act, how to curate a classroom that is inclusive, how each student has a unique learning style, and that a classroom is made up of several different parts, not just academic instruction.”

Interested?

Contact your school counselor and review the UCPS Program of Studies. Learn more about the Teaching as a Profession pathway and apply.

Choose Your Pathway

Associate's Pathway
- Available to all UCPS high school students
- Beginning in ninth grade, students complete an aggressive dual enrollment program in partnership with SPCC
- Students exit high school with a diploma and Teacher Preparation associate’s degree
- Zero tuition for associate’s degree
- Gateway to Wingate Scholarship = no more than $2,500 per year
- Eligible for the Transfer Pathway = UCPS covers the cost
Early College Pathway
- Available to all high school students enrolled at Union County Early College
- Beginning in ninth grade, students exit high school in five years with a diploma and Teacher Preparation Associate's degree
- Zero tuition for associate’s degree
- Gateway to Wingate Scholarship = no more than $2,500 per year
- Eligible for the Transfer Pathway = UCPS covers the cost
Pre-Apprentice Pathway
- This option is currently a CTE pathway at Weddington High and Porter Ridge High
- Students register as a Teacher Pre-Apprentice
- Students may be hired by UCPS upon graduation as a teacher assistant and register as an apprentice
- Students attend SPCC to complete their associate’s degree
- May attend Wingate University to complete their bachelor’s degree
- Zero tuition for associate’s degree
- Gateway to Wingate Scholarship = no more than $2,500 per year
- Eligible for the Transfer Pathway = UCPS covers the cost
University Pathway
- This option is currently a CTE pathway at Weddington High and Porter Ridge High
- Students complete CTE program, Teaching as a Profession and attend a four-year university of their choice
- May transfer up to seven credits directly to a four-year university
- Become a classroom teacher four years after high school graduation
- Student incurs cost of tuition

Student Experience Opportunities

Students may expand apprenticeship / internship / field experiences by:

Participating in relevant UCPS professional development sessions (e.g. Canvas Rockstars, classroom management, subject area, etc.)

Participating in relevant summer programs (work as a paid tutor during summer months, participating in professional development and planning for summer programs)

Participating in CTE internship programs in UCPS (lesson planning with staff, attend planning meetings on teacher workdays and opportunities to teach small or whole-group lessons).

Frequently Asked Questions

If a student is enrolled in the Pre-Apprentice or Traditional Pathway, do they have to transfer to Weddington High School or Porter Ridge High School?
Is there a fee for this program?
If a student is enrolled in the Pre-Apprentice or Traditional Pathway, can they still participate in the Career and College Promise program?
Will the CTE Teaching as a Profession Pathway be expanded to other high schools?
How can I learn more about TeachUCPS and apply?

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Interested?

Choose Your Pathway

Associate's Pathway

Early College Pathway

Pre-Apprentice Pathway

University Pathway

Student Experience Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

If a student is enrolled in the Pre-Apprentice or Traditional Pathway, do they have to transfer to Weddington High School or Porter Ridge High School?

Is there a fee for this program?

If a student is enrolled in the Pre-Apprentice or Traditional Pathway, can they still participate in the Career and College Promise program?

Will the CTE Teaching as a Profession Pathway be expanded to other high schools?

How can I learn more about TeachUCPS and apply?