Columbia State Community College partners with Maury County Public Schools for teaching pre-apprenticeship program

A new partnership between Columbia State Community College and Maury County Public Schools seeks to help alleviate the state’s teacher shortage and create a pipeline of passionate future teachers to become employed by the Maury County Public School District. The first program of its kind in Tennessee, the new signing with Maury County Public Schools joins the existing pre-apprenticeship partnership the college has with Lawrence County Schools.

According to an article on Columbia State Community College’s website, Lisa Ventura, who serves as Maury County Public Schools’ superintendent, was quoted as saying at the signing of the agreement, “We are, as we speak, investing in our future, in our children and in our community. This agreement will establish a program that will foster the next generation of teachers. This partnership will be a model for innovation in teacher preparation, in our community and in our state. We're not only investing individually, but also in the long-term strength of the educational system at large. “We are always looking to prepare qualified teaching candidates. Maury County Public Schools will benefit from a pipeline of qualified, trained educators who are familiar with the Maury County Public Schools System­—the culture and our values—and what our community values. We will be better positioned to retain great teachers, reduce our vacancy gaps and improve student outcomes. We're excited to see this program grow, thrive and one day return our students to our schools as fully licensed, highly qualified and highly impactful teachers.”

The partnership establishes a pipeline that will help current teacher assistants become licensed classroom teachers. Students will earn an associate degree from Columbia State Community College, transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor degree, receive in-classroom experience at a Maury County Public School, and eventually receive an employment opportunity from the district.

In order to participate in the pre-apprenticeship program, students must have an ACT score of at least 21, a passing score on the Praxis CORE exam, and a GPA of 2.75.

Keith Stacey, who serves as Maury County Public Schools’ assistant superintendent of instruction, explained what he believes makes this partnership unique. He said, “I don't know how many partnerships exist in this world where both sides see the same benefits, they see similar benefits, and the return on the investment goes both ways. Oftentimes, partnerships lean more towards one side than they do the other. One side may benefit, maybe slightly more than the other. However, I truly think in this partnership, we will see a true flow between the two programs.”

Echoing these sentiments, Dr. Janet F. Smith, the president of Columbia State Community College, said, “Our unity with Maury County Public Schools is ingrained with who we are as a community, as a college and how we work together for the citizens of this area to improve educational opportunities. We know that education builds all communities, and a community that does not have a strong educational system or a strong educational foundation does not progress. They're not as economically viable as communities that are educationally grounded. And through this partnership, we are building opportunities for individuals to increase their income by increasing their education.”

Students who participate in the pre-apprenticeship program will have the opportunity to gain hands-on training in early childhood centers, special education classrooms, and in K-12 classrooms. Additionally, students will have access to workshops, seminars, guest speakers, networking events, and career fairs.

For more information about Columbia State Community College, visit the school’s website.