Given that reality, North Carolina faces a critical need for highly skilled teaching professionals focused in STEM areas. The North Carolina STEM Teacher Education Program (NC STEP) provides an opportunity for those interested in mastering innovative approaches to STEM education that reach all students to successfully prepare them for the new economy.
What is NC STEP?
NC STEP is a lateral entry teacher certification program seeking mid-career professionals and recent college graduates interested in becoming secondary science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) teachers. Administered by NC New Schools and approved by the State Board of Education, this cost-free, non-traditional teacher prep program is supported by a federal Transition to Teaching grant. This program has also been selected as a partner in 100Kin10, a national multi-sector effort to increase the number of STEM teachers by 100,000 during the next 10 years, and has been approved by the North Carolina State Board of Education as an alternative route to teacher licensure.
Who can apply?
NC STEP is a teacher preparation program designed for a very specific audience. To be eligible, applicants must have a four-year college degree (bachelor's degree) in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) related field and have an interest in becoming a teacher of STEM courses in a NC secondary school. Applicants who currently hold a teaching license are not eligible for the program.
Applications are still being accepted for the following school internship sites: Caldwell Early College High School, Cross Creek Early College High School, Edgecombe Early College High School, Early/Middle College at GTCC Jamestown, Stanly Early College High School, Vance County Early College High School, and the Wayne School of Engineering. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis. Click here to apply now.
How long will it take to complete the program?
The program consists of a 15-month teacher training program followed by a three year commitment to teach in an NC New Schools partner district as a lateral entry teacher. The training program includes a 10-month school-based internship, concurrent participation in four online courses through WIDE World at Harvard Graduate School of Education, and participation in aligned seminars through North Carolina New Schools' Integrated System of School Supports. Candidates who complete the internship will then become lateral entry teachers for three years before obtaining the Standard Professional I NC Teacher License.
Where will the program be conducted?
Eight schools within the NC New Schools network will host NC STEP teacher candidates in 2013-14:
- Caldwell Early College High School in Hudson
- Cross Creek Early College High School in Fayetteville
- Edgecombe Early College High School in Tarboro
- Early/Middle College at GTCC-Jamestown in Greensboro
- Hillside New Tech High School in Durham
- Stanly Early College High School in Albemarle
- Vance County Early College High School in Henderson
- Wayne School of Engineering in Goldsboro
What else does the program offer?
Selected teacher candidates will be placed in a host school nearest to where they reside. All tuition, training costs and materials will be paid in full, valued at approximately $14,000. Candidates will receive a $2500 stipend, $250 materials supplement for classroom supplies, support and guidance for completing licensure requirements, placement assistance following program completion, and mentor support throughout the 10-month internship. Candidates may also receive a loaner laptop to use throughout the 15-month teacher training program.
Will the certification obtained through NC STEP be honored by all NC high schools?
Yes. The lateral entry certification, as approved by the NC State Board of Education on Jan. 5, 201 will qualify program completers for teaching positions in NC secondary schools. With regard to teaching positions out of state, whether or not the lateral entry certification is accepted is the prerogative of the hiring state.
Can I defer federal student loans during the internship year?
If the student loans are federal loans, they can be deferred during the internship year when the teacher intern is still taking courses and is in a program of study. The intern needs to call the FSA office (1-800-433-7327) and ask for a year-long deferment until he/she has a paying position. If, after the internship year, the intern cannot find a job, he/she can request that the loan be deferred again. After the intern finds a job, he/she can request that the payback be reduced and an income-based payment arranged. If a teacher works in a non-profit school, in a public servant position or is a teacher in a public school, a loan can be forgiven after 10 years of service.
What is the application process for STEP?
Applications for the 2012-13 cohort are currently being accepted for the following school internship sites: Caldwell Early College High School, Cross Creek Early College High School, Edgecombe Early College High School, Early/Middle College at GTCC Jamestown, Stanly Early College High School, Vance County Early College High School, and the Wayne School of Engineering. Applications must be submitted electronically and are being reviewed on a rolling basis. Unofficial transcripts and three letters of reference must be uploaded during the online application process. Once the most qualified applicants are identified, those individuals will be asked to participate in a series of interviews, along with a site visit at a host school. Final candidates will be selected based on the applicant's education, past work experience and interview performance.
If selected as an NC STEP teacher candidate, what are my obligations?
- Accept the position and sign the NC STEP Promissory Note stating that upon completion of the teacher preparation program that you will serve three years as a teacher in an approved, high-need public secondary school within the NC New Schools' network of partnership districts across North Carolina. Candidates who do not complete the program and do not teach for three years in an approved, high-need school must repay the stipend fee and tuition for online coursework with interest;
- Observe and "practice teach" 18 hours per week (3-4 hours, Monday - Friday) in an individually designed 10-month school-based internship at an NC New Schools host school;
- Participate in and complete all requirements of the content-required on-line courses, aligned seminars, identified NC New Schools professional development events, and other activities as outlined in the approved NC STEP program course of study; and
- During the internship, participate as a full member of the host school instructional team.
When will the next cohort of teacher candidates begin the program?
Selected teacher candidates will begin the program in May 2013. The internship experience at the host school begins with the start of the 2013-14 school year. Applicants selected after May 2013 will follow an adjusted summer schedule.
What is the sequence of other activities during the 15-month STEP program?
- May - Aug 2013: First online course
- June - Aug 2013: Various professional development conferences, institutes and workshops
- Aug - Dec 2013: Fall semester internship in the host school; second online course; weekly seminars
- Sept 2013: NC New Schools New Teacher Institute
- Sept - Dec 2013: Three NC New Schools Secondary Lenses on Learning workshops
- Nov 2013: NC New Schools Common Practices Symposium
- Jan - May 2014: Spring semester internship at host school; third online course; weekly seminars
- Jan - March 2014: Three NC New Schools Secondary Lenses on Learning workshops
- March 2014: NC New Schools Scaling STEM conference
- May - August 2014: Fourth online course
- July 2014: Finalize initial licensure requirements for lateral entry teaching
- Aug 2014: Complete NC STEP program of study; begin three year commitment as a lateral entry teacher in an approved NC New Schools partner district
- June 2017: Candidates eligible for a Standard Professional NC Teacher License
For more information, contact the program at ncstep@ncnewschools.org. Sign up for INNOVATOR to receive regular updates about NC New Schools and NC STEP.
