CCSNH-Berlin, Plymouth State, and Granite State College Come Together
Contributed by Brooks Payette, Berlin Daily Sun
For the first time in New Hampshire history, a state university is delivering a bachelor's program to a community college. Plymouth State University and the NH Community Technical College have partnered together to offer a Bachelor of Science in Childhood Studies with the Teacher Certification (K-8) Option.
The partnership, which began in the fall, will give CCSNH-Berlin students who wish to pursue teaching an array of options that include transferring to a handful of colleges after two years at the college, or completing their four years at NHCTC and graduating with a Childhood Studies degree from Plymouth State.
"I applaud Plymouth State University, our champion institution, for understanding the needs of a rural community and collaborating with NHCTC and Granite State College to address them," said Deb Stewart, Professor of Education at NHCTC. "Together, we will be able to produce teacher candidates from the area who are familiar with the community and its schools."
Recently, more good news was delivered to the area for those interested in pursuing teaching as a career. In fall of 2006, Granite State College is also teaming up with CCSNH-Berlin to offer a four-year bachelor's degree. After completing the two-year Teacher Prep program at NHCTC, students can finish the Elementary Education/ Language Arts Bachelor's Degree and get K-8 certified in Berlin at Granite State College.
The programs were established to meet the teacher shortage in the area as many of the baby boomer era teachers begin and continue to retire.
The program allows those with degrees already and those without a degree to become certified teachers with the flexibility to remain in the North Country and not make the hour-plus ride to Plymouth for classes.
For those students who wish to complete just two years at NHCTC and move on to a larger college or university away from the area, they have many options. Colleges that have agreements with CCSNH-Berlin are the University of Maine at Farmington and Orono, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, and Southern NH University.
Stewart said that the Teacher Prep program can be transferred to many colleges that offer a four year education program. As the program director, Stewart finds out what college the student would like to transfer to and then contacts the college to find out what specific education courses the student needs to transfer and be on schedule after two years.
CCSNH-Berlin currently has 16 students enrolled in the Teacher Prep program for Plymouth State University.
Two students who have taken advantage of the NHCTC Teacher Prep program are freshman Katherine Pelletier and sophomore Renee Corriveau, both of whom are area graduates of 2004. Corriveau attended Gorham High School and Pelletier graduated from Berlin High School.
CCSNH-Berlin was an attractive option because of the lower cost of education and small class sizes. They recommend it to anyone interested in pursuing education.
Corriveau began classes at CCSNH-Berlin in the fall of 2004 with the intentions of going on to a four-year university to become a special education teacher. She is now on track to begin her junior year at the University of Maine-Farmington in the fall of 2006. Corriveau will enter Farmington right on track with all other juniors studying to become teachers.
"Classes are small and you don't feel like one small person in a large crowd," Corriveau said. "It is easy to get in touch with teachers."
Pelletier attended the much larger Liberty University in Virginia in the fall of 2004 before transferring to CCSNH-Berlin. She agrees with Corriveau on the benefits of a smaller college like NHCTC.
"The small classes make a big difference," she said. "Your teachers know who you are, not just your student ID number."
Pelletier is planning on getting her bachelor's degree from Plymouth State University. As part of the teacher prep program, students are required to take their regular general education requirements and their teacher prep courses. After the two years, students acquire 65 credits, 25 of which are teacher education credits, and the other 40 general education requirements.
Those interested in finding out more about the program should contact Professor Stewart at NHCTC at 752-1113.
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