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

    • The application for UCPS Employee Pathway: Fall 2025 cohort will open in February of 2025
    • The application for the Transfer Pathway: Fall 2025 cohort 

    Interested? Contact emily.kraftson@ucps.k12.nc.us 

Next Stop: TeachUCPS in the News

  • WBTV Screenshot of UCPS teacher holding diploma

    Video/Article via WBTV: Dani Lotharp is thrilled to begin her career as a teacher. She feels a personal connection to the role, as she herself is a graduate of Monroe Middle and High schools.

    Thanks to a program that began a year ago within the district, she was able to get the financial assistance she needed to bring her dream of teaching to fruition.

    “I’ve always wanted to teach, since I was a kid, that’s something I wanted to do my whole life,” Lotharp said.

    “I’m finally getting that opportunity to walk in my purpose, and I get to do that in my own community,” she said.

Employee Pathway

  • Current UCPS Instructional Classified Employee

    • Obtain Associate Degree at SPCC
    • Gateway to Wingate Scholarship
    • Obtain Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Certification at Wingate University
    • Classroom teacher 2-4 years after beginning the program. 

    Cost

    • Associate degree = zero tuition
    • Bachelors Degree and teaching certificate: UCPS Tuition Assistance = UCPS pays up to $2,500 per year

    Employee Commitment

    Upon completion of all coursework and an earned bachelor's degree:

    • Work in UCPS as a teacher
    • Minimum of three years in a Title I school
    • Minimum of four years in other schools

Transfer Pathway

  • Former UCPS Graduates

    • Completed Associate Degree at SPCC
    • Gateway to Wingate Scholarship
    • Obtain Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Certification at Wingate University
    • Classroom teacher 2 years after beginning the program. 

    Cost

    • Associate degree = Student incurs cost
    • Bachelors Degree and teaching certificate: UCPS Tuition Assistance = UCPS pays up to $2,500 per year

    Employee Commitment

    Upon completion of all coursework and an earned bachelor's degree:

    • Work in UCPS as a teacher
    • Minimum of three years in a Title I school
    • Minimum of four years in other schools