TEACH Hooks Youth on Education Careers

Twenty-four high school juniors and seniors who want a career in teaching had an opportunity to take classes and gain field experience at UTC last month through the Teacher Education Academy College Headstart (TEACH) program.

The Teacher Preparation Academy of the College of Education and Applied Professional Studies has been hosting these students from Tennessee and North Georgia, who applied and were selected for the program, according to Dr. Valerie Copeland Rutledge, of the UTC Teacher Preparation Academy. She serves as Director of the Teacher Education Program and UC Foundation Associate Professor.

"While they were residing on campus, the students earned college credit for EDUC 201, which includes class work, readings, doing PowerPoint presentations, and participating in over 30 hours of fieldwork as teacher aides at 21st Century Academy and East Side Elementary School," Rutledge said.

TEACH is an offshoot of the Governor’s School for Prospective Teachers and is funded by grant monies. TEACH faculty members are Dr. Valerie Rutledge, Dr. Jane Brower, Margha Davis, and Sandra Longer. Also participating are Hamilton County School teachers, Lisa Richardson, Cynthia Neal, and Louise Ciliberto, and Wayne Ingle from Catoosa County Schools. Counselors are UTC students Rico Howard and Joyclyn Henderson and former Governor’s School participant, Sylvia Arriaga.

Faculty members also allowed the students to mix some off-campus fun into their college experience, according to Rutledge.

"The students have also enjoyed Riverbend, the Challenger Center, the Tennessee Wildlife Center, Chickamauga Battlefield, the Tennessee Aquarium, the Creative Discovery Museum. They were guests on a segment of Point of View, and they visited many other sites and attractions in the Chattanooga area," Rutledge said.

A final reception and recognition ceremony at the UTC Faculty Club marked the conclusion of the TEACH Program. UTC officials and administrators, parents, and area educators who played key roles in the successful completion of this unique experience were invited to attend.