Union County Public Schools (UCPS) is expanding Next Stop: TeachUCPS, the district’s teacher pipeline program. In partnership with UNC Charlotte (UNCC), the program now offers a pathway for UCPS employees and graduates with a bachelor's degree who want to pursue a teaching career in special education, Career and Technical Education (CTE), as well as math and science for middle and high school grade levels.

Launched in 2023, Next Stop: TeachUCPS is an innovative strategy to help our district grow its own teachers and provide a roadmap that removes financial barriers for pursuing a teaching license. The program has seven pathways—four for high school students, one for classified instructional employees and two for both instructional classified employees and former UCPS graduates. 

Dr. Malcolm B. Butler, Professor and Dean of the Cato College of Education said, “the Residency Pathway is the latest in a litany of partnerships between UNC Charlotte and Union County Public Schools that work to better equip the teachers of tomorrow and create certification opportunities for passionate professionals. We look forward to welcoming the first TeachUCPS students in the fall.”

UCPS is honored to partner with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Wingate University and South Piedmont Community College to strengthen strategies for teacher recruitment and retention. Through these partnerships, UCPS can offer opportunities for career growth to any employee who aspires to become a certified teacher.

“Times have changed and we have to expand our strategies for recruiting and retaining teachers,” said Superintendent Dr. Andrew Houlihan. “The programs that our local colleges and universities offer are removing barriers and helping to develop quality teachers.”

Qualified candidates who are accepted into the residency pathway at UNC Charlotte will be enrolled in an educator preparation program and receive zero-cost tuition for the required coursework, with UCPS covering the tuition fees. Candidates must commit to teach in UCPS for three to four years.

The next application period for TeachUCPS opens on Feb. 1, 2025. The district will hold a virtual interest meeting on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/bderxrpa.

Overview of Next Stop: TeachUCPS Pathways

 Associate’s Pathway

• Available to all UCPS high school students
• Beginning in ninth grade, students complete 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 5 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

 Employee Pathway

• Current UCPS instructional classified employees
• Earn an associate’s degree from SPCC
• Gateway to Wingate scholarship
• Become a classroom teacher in two to four years after beginning the program
• Zero tuition for associate’s degree
• Zero cost for tuition = UCPS covers the cost

 Transfer Pathway

• Former UCPS graduates
• Completed associate's degree from SPCC
• Gateway to Wingate scholarship
• Bachelor's degree and teaching certification at Wingate University
• Classroom teacher 2 years after beginning the program
• Student incurs cost for associate's degree
• Zero cost for tuition = UCPS covers the cost

 Residency Pathway

• Current UCPS classified instructional employees and former UCPS graduates
• Completed bachelor's degree from any accredited college or university
• Teaching certification at UNC Charlotte for EC, CTE, and math and science for middle and high school grade levels
• Teaching certification at SPCC for elementary education
• Classroom teacher 1-2 years after beginning the program
• Zero cost for tuition = UCPS covers the cost

01/14/2025