Monday, February 03, 2003

WILMINGTON, NC -- Just like the Marines, UNC Wilmington is looking for a few good men and women with the goal to help them make the transition from the Corps to the classroom.

“Active duty and retired service personnel, especially those individuals who served as military instructors, are a potential resource to respond to the state’s teaching shortage,” stated Cathy Barlow, dean of the Watson School of Education. “Through our Coalition for Transition to Teaching (CT3) program, we will provide up to 160 educators for five southeastern North Carolina school districts during the next five years.”

The CT3 program is funded with a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Barlow said candidates who are accepted into the program are expected to complete it in two years and then enter the classroom. Graduates are required to teach for at least three years in Carteret, Craven, Duplin, Jones or Onslow counties.

“The Watson School of Education will then provide them with three years of mentoring support,” said Barlow.

The education school is accepting applications for the program’s inaugural class. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with an interest in obtaining licensure to teach middle or secondary mathematics or science, special education or elementary education.

Carol Chase Thomas, associate dean of the Watson School of Education and CT3 co-director, noted that these licensure fields were selected because they represent the highest-need areas for schools in the region.

The deadline to apply is March 15. Eligible candidates will be interviewed in April with instruction to begin in June, said Barlow. Accepted applicants will receive a laptop computer and $2,500 stipend.

“Depending upon the group, course instruction may be at night or weekends or a combination,” Barlow said. “The majority of courses will be taught at Coastal Carolina Community College.” The community college is located in Jacksonville, which is also home to Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base.

Although the CT3 program will give active and retired military personnel priority consideration, other applicants will be considered.

“All college graduates who are interested in making a career change and who believe they have the personal fortitude to succeed as teachers are encouraged to apply,” said Barlow.

CT3 candidates must apply to UNCW as special undergraduate extension students. An online application is available on the Web at www.uncw.edu/admissions/.

In addition, applicants must submit a cover letter, professional goals statement, resume and official college transcripts. The cover letter should indicate their interest in CT3 along with a description of their military background (if any) and their proposed licensure area. In the goals statement, candidates should describe their interest in the teaching profession or work experience/skills that would contribute to their success as an educator. Send materials to CT3 Program, Watson School of Education, UNCW, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403.

For more information, contact Drs. Barlow or Thomas at 910/962-3354.