Information Session For Alternative Teacher Certification at Blinn College in Schulenburg

The quality of our teachers impact students well beyond their academic growth. Teachers are strongly linked to significant increases in high school graduation rates, college completion, and salary earnings. Texas teachers also impact their students’ physical, social, and emotional health. Unfortunately, far too many teachers have left the profession in recent years.

The Alliance for College & Career Student Success (ACCSS) in South Central Texas will be hosting an information session on an alternative teacher certification program offered by Sam Houston State University College of Education. Candidates must be core complete, have an overall GPA of 2.75 or higher, have a flexible and supportive administrator, and must be employed as an instructional aide by a school district. Their experience as an instructional classroom aide should be for at least one year in the last five years. The EdAide program can be completed in two years, and there are many options for financial support. This program is designed specifically for paraprofessionals. New cohorts begin each semester and 100 percent of the classes are taught online, at night, or on the weekend. By logging 540 teaching hours, student teaching will be waived.

Those interested in learning about the SHSU EdAid program are invited to attend an information session that will be held at Blinn College – Schulenburg Campus (100 Ranger Dr.) in room 120 on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m. The SHSU EdAide Program Coordinator, Suzanne Kitts, will be available to share information and answer any questions.

The EdAide Program allows individuals to complete their Bachelor’s degree and get certified to teach while remaining a full-time paraprofessional. There are also options for people who have a bachelor’s degree and want to become certified or who are interested in getting a Master’s degree in education while becoming credentialed to teach. For more information on ACCSS, visit www.myaccss.net, or their Facebook page @ACCSS5. To learn more about the EdAide program and this info session contact the ACCSS Director, Susie Shank, at (979) 743-5239.