SMITHFIELD – On March 25, Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) and Campbell University signed documentation for the expansion of the TA (Teacher Assistant) to Teacher Program. Since 2022, JCPS and Campbell University have partnered to provide the school district’s TAs a pathway for obtaining licensure to become teachers with JCPS.
JCPS Interim Chief of Human Resources Linda Edmundson and Dr. Guy Vitaglione, Campbell University’s Associate Dean of Online and Adult & Online Education signed an addendum to the Memorandum of Understanding for the TA to Teacher Program, allowing JCPS to expand the program to accommodate a total of 30 participants. Currently, the school district has 20 TAs that are participating in the program.
“Johnston County Public Schools is very proud of our TA to Teacher partnership with Campbell University,” said Linda Edmundson, JCPS Interim Chief of Human Resources. “We are very excited to be able to offer this opportunity to our teacher assistants as we continue to work towards growing our own teachers within our school district.”
The TA to Teacher Program is one of the unique JCPS programs that affords educators within the school system an opportunity to continue their education within the district. Additionally, the program is a 100% online NC licensure program that offers degrees in Elementary Education and Special Education.
“Campbell University is really pleased and really proud to work with our friends and neighbors in Johnston County Public Schools,” Dr. Guy Vitaglione, Campbell University’s Associate Dean Online and Adult & Online Education said. They’ve got outstanding employees, we’ve got an outstanding teacher education program, and we just thought we’d put them together.
The TA to Teacher program also provides tuition assistance to JCPS part-time or full-time teacher assistants to pursue a college degree that will result in teacher licensure. Through the program, JCPS will pay up to a total of $5,250 per academic year, up to three academic years, for tuition and other educational expenses (e.g. standard fees, textbooks). Tuition assistance is available to part-time and full-time TAs.
The tuition assistance agreement requires that the newly licensed teachers seek a full-time teaching position with JCPS within 90 days of completion of the curriculum. Once hired, the educators agree to serve as a teacher with the school district for three consecutive years.
“We know that these TAs are rooted here, we know that they’re going to stay here, and they’re some of the best candidates that we have because of their experiences in the classroom,” Dr. Chris Godwin, Assistant Dean of the School of Education and Human Sciences and the Director of Teacher Education said.
