NCC Prepares Future Educators for Success

Long a recognized leader in educating the next generation of teachers, Northampton Community College (NCC) continues to provide innovative pathways to success for students seeking careers at the front of the classroom. These pathways are especially important as Pennsylvania school districts struggle to fill teacher vacancies.  

“Everything we do is with the vision of engaging future educators,” says Catherine Given, dean of NCC’s School of Education and Academic Foundations. “All of our full-time faculty and the director of education serve on boards focused on this work.” 

NCC provides four education pathways leading to associate degrees and preparing students to transfer for completion of a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification: early childhood education, middle level education, secondary education, and special education. Additionally, two of these pathways – early childhood education and special education – offer shorter credentials in the form of specialized diplomas or certificates to provide students with career avenues in pre-K programs or as paraeducators.  

Students don’t need to wait until they graduate from high school, though, to begin their future careers. NCC is expanding opportunities for high school students through the Aspiring Educator Pathway Program (AEPP) and the dual enrollment program.  

A partnership between NCC, East Stroudsburg University (ESU), and local school districts, AEPP supports the creation of in-school clubs that not only provide career insight on the profession, but pair students with mentors in the field for hands-on experiences and provide professional development opportunities both at the school and at NCC and ESU.  

Through AEPP, clubs visit the NCC and ESU campuses to learn more about dual enrollment opportunities and to receive support as they prepare to continue their education after high school. The colleges are also working toward creating seamless transfer opportunities for students who begin their education at NCC and then transfer to complete a bachelor’s degree at ESU. 

NCC also is expanding AEPP efforts to include postsecondary students and adult learners, with a particular emphasis on veterans. NCC representatives have attended several veteran resource fairs to strengthen connections. According to Daniel Cullen, assistant professor of education, the goal is to establish a Troops to Teachers program at NCC that models the national initiative supporting service members seeking to begin new careers as educators. 
 
“Adult learners – especially veterans – bring valuable experience and leadership to the classroom,” says Cullen, who leads most of NCC’s middle and secondary education initiatives. “Our goal is to create a clear, supported pathway for veterans to enroll in our education degree programs, complete field experiences, and return to serve in Pennsylvania’s classrooms.” 

High school students in the Poconos who aspire to teaching careers can get a head start on college-level education courses right in the high school. For the past two years, NCC has offered the courses, education for all students and introduction to special education, at East Stroudsburg High School (ESHS) North and South in Dingmans Ferry and East Stroudsburg, respectively. Both courses start the associate degree programs in middle and secondary education and special education. 

Students at Pleasant Valley High School in Brodheadsville can take advantage of in-school offerings of NCC’s early childhood development & learning and observation & assessment courses, which fulfill requirements in both the early childhood education and special education degree programs. Wilson Area High School in Easton is supporting students taking online education courses to ensure they make a successful transition to college-level work.  

Thanks to a $860,161 Dual Enrollment Innovation Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, NCC will expand the ESHS program to include the courses, college success and introduction to communication, so ESHS students could graduate from high school with 10 credits – nearly an entire semester – already completed toward an associate degree. NCC plans to use the grant to expand the same opportunity to Pleasant Valley in Monroe County and Northampton Area High School and Saucon Valley High School in Northampton County. 

The grant also will fund a Pathways to Possibilities Program to encourage high school students to consider future careers in education, healthcare, and skilled trades. As the program gains momentum, NCC will look to scale these partnerships up to more school districts in Northampton and Monroe counties. 

NCC’s dual enrollment program allows high school students to take college courses while still in high school. The program not only gives students a head start on their college careers, but it also allows them to learn more about making a successful college transition and to explore their college options. NCC also offers discounted tuition rates for all dual enrollment students as well as dual enrollment scholarships for eligible students.