What can I do with this degree?
You can transfer to a four year institution to work on a teacher education degree (B.S.) to teach in the public schools as a certified teacher. You are also eligible to obtain a job as a paraprofessional (teacher’s aide) in the public school system. Also, you could be paid in the summer to work on LEAP remediation through the public schools.
Return to Top
What are the requirements for admission into this program?
For admission into the program, you must have 30 hours of transfer credit (developmental courses do not transfer), a 2.5 grade point average (G.P.A.), fill out the application form, and write an autobiography. Also, you must submit 3 personal/professional references and type a one page essay on why you want to become a teacher. After all of that material is submitted, the program director will ask you to come in for a group interview. This interview is not meant to limit or deny anyone entrance into the program; the college would like to evaluate your dispositions toward the teaching profession.
Return to Top
Will this program enable me to transfer to SLU, LSU, Southern, or other 4-year colleges?
Yes, as long as you meet the entrance requirements of the institution, 60 hours will transfer to that college of education. The four year institution decides which of the 67-68 hours you must take to complete the B.S. degree. Check out the Transfer Information page for more information.
Return to Top
What are the program's exit requirements?
You must take the 66 hours required in the program and maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average. You must pass PRAXIS I (basic skills) and the content knowledge portion of PRAXIS II (#0014)—English, social studies, math, and science. Additionally, an exit interview with BRCC will be scheduled concurrently with an entrance interview with the receiving institution in this region, namely LSU, SU, or SLU. Also, your electronic portfolio, PASS-PORT, will be evaluated by the exit/entrance interview committee as well as your TEAC 203 instructor.
Return to Top
Do I need to have taught in order to apply for the Teacher Education Program?
No, you need to enjoy working with children and have a desire to help people. Many older applicants, however, may have experience working as a paraprofessional in the public schools.
Return to Top
What kind of financial aid is available?
You may contact the financial aid office in the Bienvenue Student Center for the traditional types of aid. Also, many national organizations offer teacher education majors financial assistance, such as the National Association of Community Colleges Teacher Education Programs and the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. Other sources from businesses may be available as well.
Return to Top
What is the philosophy of BRCC's Teacher Education Program?
This program exists to offer students a seamless transition to the four year institution of their choice. We hope to provide enough instruction, computer-assisted training, and use of study guides within the 60 hours of general education courses for students to pass PRAXIS I and the content knowledge section of PRAXIS II. Additionally, within the two pedagogical courses, we want to establish a foundation of knowledge about the teaching profession as well as offer varied opportunities in field experience—both observations and lesson presentation. BRCC believes that it has developed a comprehensive program that will offer a solid foundation for students interested in the teaching profession.
Return to Top
Where does the Teacher Education Program place its interns?
BRCC places students in local elementary schools in grades 1-5. Students will have experience in urban, suburban, and rural schools where they observe good modeling of best practices in teaching. Placements will be very specific and will rotate throughout the semester. TEAC 201 requires 19 hours of field experience, and TEAC 203 requires 18 hours.
Return to Top
How long is the Program?
The program takes two years to complete unless you have to take some developmental classes. Also, if you have to work, you may not be able to take 15-16 hours per semester to finish in two years.
Return to Top
What courses will I be taking in the Teacher Education Program?
See the A.S.T. Curriculum link or obtain a curriculum sheet from your program advisor.
Return to Top
What if I am interested in another certification, not grades 1-5?
If you are interested in PK-3, you should still consider this grades 1-5 pathway. The state of Louisiana allows you to take the PRAXIS test for PK-3 after you have the 1-5 grades certification. You may want to take a couple of extra courses about early childhood education before you take the test. Then you end up with two certifications. If you are interested in the grades 4-8 certification or the grades 6-12 secondary certification, you should consult the course catalog for the institution for which you would like to attend, and then consult the crosswalk on BRCC’s home page to take only courses that you know will transfer. To learn more about teacher certification, visit the Louisiana Department of Education Teacher Certification page.
Return to Top
What is PASS-PORT?
PASS-PORT is the electronic portfolio that every teacher education in the state must have throughout the college career and through the first three years of teaching. Think of it as an electronic 3-ring binder. You want to save artifacts from your two education courses as well as any projects concerned with education in your other courses to insert into this portfolio. Naturally, if you have experience teaching in the public or private schools, be sure to save your lesson plans and have someone document the number of hours teaching and/or observing. This portfolio shows that you are a competent person who has the skills to be in the classroom with children.
Here at BRCC it is important in the first years to save any projects, observations, lesson plans, your resume’, your philosophy of education, pictures working with children, and other documentation to place in your electronic portfolio. These artifacts will prove your competency as a classroom teacher. Think of PASS-PORT as an electronic 3-ring binder. To assist you with this preparation, we have a digital camera and scanner for your use. We recommend saving your artifacts on a jump drive until you enter TEAC 201. When you are enrolled in TEAC 201 and 203, you will use PASS-PORT and formally place your artifacts in that portfolio. This portfolio will follow you to your four-year institution and then through your first three years of teaching.
Return to Top
Why do I have to get a criminal background check done?
You must get that documentation for the safety of the children. BRCC wants to assure the cooperating schools that our participants will be professional observers who will not cause any harm to their students. Also, in order to obtain a job at a later date in the public schools, you must undergo a criminal background check.
Return to Top
What should I do if I don’t pass PRAXIS I or II?
BRCC recommends that you do a great deal of practice before you take the PRAXIS because it is expensive. We have many study aides in the Academic Learning Center and library along with the resources listed on our PRAXIS page. You can take the simulated tests and use the prescription from the software that identifies all of your deficiencies on basic skills. Work on the PLATO modules from any computer any time of day to correct your problems using your assigned password. BRCC has 10 study guides available that cover topics based on PRAXIS II content. Also, many commercial simulated tests are available in the library or for purchase in bookstores, such as Cliff Test Preparation for PRAXIS I, The Complete Preparation Guide PRAXIS I (2nd ed.), PRAXIS Elementary Education by REA, and the ETS Elementary Content Knowledge Study Guide (2001). Southern University offers two types of assisted instruction. One is the CAP class, a one hour credit course that uses computer-assisted instruction in an individualized way to prepare students for the PRAXIS I test. Workshops are also offered on Saturday mornings from 9am to 1 pm on various topics to prepare students for the PRAXIS II test. Contact Dr. Willa Moore at 771-4636 for more information and schedules for the topics covered each Saturday.
Return to Top
|
