Two new teacher licensure pathways open, Tuition grants awarded thanks to SECU Foundation

Pathway to Practice NC, a self-paced, competency-based online program for residency licensed
teachers, has opened two new modules for licensure in elementary education and special
education. Scholarship funding is available thanks to a grant from the State Employees’ Credit
Union Foundation.

Pathway to Practice NC, a collaboration between the UNC School of Education and NC State’s
College of Education is a state-approved educator preparation program providing a
competency-based online program for residency licensed teachers.

A $200,000 grant from the SECU Foundation supported development of the new educator
preparation modules. Special Education and Elementary modules were designed specifically for
teachers in the classroom using research-based instructional strategies and engaging activities.

The grant is also providing funding for 10 North Carolina teachers to complete the online
training. Scholarship priority is being given to those who would bring their new skillset to Tier 1
communities, the 40 most economically distressed counties in the state, according to the North
Carolina Department of Commerce’s annual ranking of all 100 counties.