RSS FeedPress Release
For immediate release
JCC teacher education program one of nation's top 10
Jackson Community College's teacher education preparation program has been recognized as one of the 10 best among community colleges across the nation by the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. JCC will receive the Best Practices in Teacher Preparation Award at the Atlanta, Georgia conference of the National Association of Community College Teacher Education Programs, planned for March 2006.
The Best Practices in Teacher Preparation Award competition recognizes the achievements of community colleges that have best met the needs of students who will become future teachers of science and mathematics (PreK-12). The award is funded by the National Science Foundation, Advanced Technological Education Program. The award will provide travel expenses for a JCC team to attend the conference.
"We were more than honored to receive this award, as the top community colleges in the country are competing to be selected. Our science and math faculty are some of the best in the state, along with our outstanding, hard-working students to make our teacher education program a cut above," said Mary Belknap, teacher education coordinator for JCC.
A number of individuals have helped in making the teacher education program what it is, Belknap said. She would like to thank MaryAnn Rainey, teacher education advisor, and Dr. Miriam Sailers of Spring Arbor University, who works collaboratively with JCC to facilitate transfer of students who will be future teachers. "We are most pleased to have solid working relationships with other state transfer universities," Belknap said.
The greater Jackson educational community, including the Jackson County Intermediate School District, supports the program in many ways, including the Future Teachers Conference, held annually to offer current and prospective teachers information on becoming better educators. The fourth annual Future Teachers Conference will be held on Feb. 25, 2006, at JCC, cosponsored by JCC, SAU and the JCISD. Area school districts open their doors to JCC students to offer their expertise and classroom experience.
"I am just very fortunate to work with some of the best professionals in education. I know with the demands and increase in math and science requirements in the K-12 program, we will continue to provide strong math and science teachers for our schools," Belknap said. "Our motto is 'JCC Future Teachers Are Leaders.' Our program has high expectations, and we are the most proud of the newly hired teachers in our area classrooms that began their career at JCC and are living testimony to our beliefs in teacher preparation."
Earlier this year, JCC was selected as one of 10 community colleges across the country to receive a $10,000 award from the American Association of Community Colleges through the "Teaching By Choice Community College Teacher Preparation Program Recognition Award" program, recognition for preparation of future teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
