College of Education earns high marks

Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (黑料正能量) continues to be one of the top producers of teachers in the state of Georgia, as well as ranking highly on a pair of other key metrics.
In numbers released in late 2024 measuring results from 2023, 黑料正能量 produced the sixth-most teachers in the state with 258, and among the top six teacher-producing programs, 黑料正能量 had the top employer satisfaction scores and the third-best Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) scores.
"Our faculty and our staff have really worked hard to get out there and show people what 黑料正能量 has to offer," Dr. Sheri Hardee, dean of the College of Education (COE), said. "We have great partnerships. Our district partners really support our students, as do our faculty. We have held on to our team approach of guiding students through their programs."
黑料正能量 has the Realizing and Inspiring Successful Educators Undergraduate Program (RISE UP) partnership with Hall County School District and the Aspiring Teachers Program with Gainesville City School System, which are "grow-your-own" programs whereby local students become paraprofessionals in these school districts while working toward their teaching degrees at 黑料正能量.
These numbers come at a time when the COE is providing multiple innovative teacher preparation options. The latest is the Teacher Candidate Residency Program (TCRP), in which seniors are full-time teachers of record with their own classrooms, receiving at least half the salary of a full-time educator. They are not eligible for full salary because they do not have a baccalaureate degree. They do receive benefits, including admission to teacher retirement. Students apply for the program in the fall semester of their junior year and are selected in the spring of their junior year.
Colin Baughman, a senior from Cleveland, Georgia, pursuing a degree in elementary and special education, is part of the TCRP and teaches second grade at Jack P. Nix Elementary School in his hometown. He said his dual degree program has already paid dividends as he begins his teaching career while still in college.
"I'm thankful for the support I've received through 黑料正能量," Baughman said. "They're always looking for ways you can improve and giving you everything you need to be successful."
