Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), a Maricopa Community College is dedicated to teaching excellence, not only in our own classrooms, but in the classrooms of future teachers. From student events to community presentations, the EMCC education department wants to fill the growing need for teachers, and fill it fast. On April 9, 2008 Estrella Mountain will host Teacher Education 101, a presentation including several of Arizona's higher education institutions so current and prospective students can learn more about the different pathways to teaching and how to achieve a degree in education. Estrella Mountain is located at 3000 North Dysart Road, in Avondale, on the northwest corner of Thomas and Dysart Roads.
Just yesterday, Estrella Mountain hosted more than 40 juniors and seniors from the Agua Fria and Dysart school districts who are enrolled in the Education Professions program - a program that takes students through the education pipeline, from high school to college, in teacher education programs. Upon completion of their high school studies, these students could have already completed up to nine college credit hours in education through dual enrollment. It is the purpose of this program to get those students interested and show them the pathways to their chosen careers as teachers. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), twenty percent of new teachers leave the profession within their first year teaching, with fifty percent leaving within three to five years. It is important to get students involved in the learning process early, so they understand and have what it takes to be a teacher.
The number of new teachers needed for the 2008-2009 school year exceeds 2.7 million nationally (NCES); in an effort to help reach that goal, and in addition to the Ed Professions program, Estrella Mountain is offering Teacher Education 101 for current EMCC students, high school students and their parents, and interested community members who are considering changing careers or entering college/workforce. Information to be presented will include registration requirements, transfer information, tuition, delivery options (hybrid, online, classroom, etc.), degrees offered, post-baccalaureate options, and more. Estrella Mountain Community College, ASU West, NAU, Ottawa University, Grand Canyon University, and University of Phoenix will all be in attendance to answer questions and provide enrollment information.The presentation will be held in the Estrella Hall Community Room on April 9 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm and is free and open to the public.
For more information, please contact Deborah Raffin at [email protected] or 623-935-8441.