Higher Education Partnerships Offering Virtual Information Sessions

The Office of Human Resources and Development, in partnership with local colleges and universities, continues to recruit for employees who want to begin teacher preparation programs or for current teachers and other employees who want to pursue continuing education opportunities for the current school year. Interested employees should register for available information sessions below or email college and university contacts directly for details.

Teacher Preparation Partnerships

Teacher Preparation Partnerships are pathways available to supporting services employees seeking initial certification to teach in specific content areas. An upcoming information session is listed below.

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) and University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) are holding an information session from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11.

UMGC and UMBC prepare supporting services employees to become teachers for secondary (grades 7-12) science, math and computer science. UMBC prepares supporting services employees who hold bachelor’s degrees to become ESOL teachers. Rolling admission is available. RSVP here to receive the meeting link. Email Cheri.Temoney@umgc.edu for more information.

Continuing Education Partnerships

Continuing Education and Educational Leadership partnerships are offering information sessions for interested employees who hold initial teacher certification.

The Equity and Excellence in Education Certificate and master’s degree programs are a partnership among MCPS, MCEA and McDaniel College. Info sessions are being held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 3 or Wednesday, Feb. 17. RSVP on PDO (course #87092).

These programs help educators:

• Reach every student by building a culture of equity in schools and classrooms.
• Delve into critical race theory to examine the impact of race and ethnicity on public school curriculum and pedagogy.
• Examine ways in which dominant cultures serve groups to varying degrees.
• Understand how curricular and pedagogical choices can reproduce inequalities or promote success for all students.
• Conduct action research related to cultural proficiency and educational equity.
• Grow as an educational leader able to transform environments for equity and excellence.

The program begins with a 15-credit, five-course graduate certificate. Participants may then opt into a full master’s degree program and complete another 18- 21 credits of core and elective content. Classes are currently meeting for eight-week semesters online. Qualified MCPS employees accepted into the program are eligible for discounted tuition and direct billing (the cost per course after direct billing is about $300).

Towson State University offers a Master’s of Education in Special Education. Its meeting to learn more is set for 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10. RSVP on PDO (course #87656).

This program is for post-baccalaureate students who are certified to teach in any area other than special education. Courses meet once a week in nine-week sessions, which allows students to take two classes per semester, but only one class at a time. Students are admitted to enter the program in the fall of 2021. For more information, contact Eric Kuhn.

More information on all higher education partnerships is available on its website.