• 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.

    Asceph Munezero's testimonial for the Next Stop: TeachUCPS programNext 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. 

Associate's Pathway

    • Available to all UCPS high school students
    • High school diploma and associate degree from SPCC upon exiting high school
    • Gateway to Wingate Scholarship
    • Classroom teacher in two years after high school graduation

    Cost

    • Associate's Degree = zero tuition
    • Gateway to Wingate Scholarship = no more than $2,500 per year

     

     

     

Traditional Pathway (Pre-Apprenticeship Pathway)

    • CTE Academy is currently at Weddington High School and Porter Ridge High School
    • Register as UCPS Teacher Preparation Pre-Apprentice
    • Earn a high school diploma, then to SPCC up to two years as a UCPS Apprentice while working as a UCPS Teacher Assistant
    • Gateway to Wingate Scholarship
    • Classroom teacher 2-4 years after high school graduation

    Cost

    • Associate's Degree = Zero Tuition
    • Gateway to Wingate Scholarship = no more than $2,500 per year

Traditional Pathway (University Pathway)

    • CTE Academy is currently at Weddington High School and Porter Ridge High School
    • Complete the 3 Teaching as a Profession courses
    • High school diploma
    • May transfer up to 7 credits directly to a four-year university
    • Classroom teacher four years after high school graduation

    Cost

    • Student incurs cost

     

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

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  • 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?