By Erika Neldner
Reinhardt University and the Cherokee County School District are making it more affordable for CCSD employees to further their education.
Through an Educational Pathway agreement, signed Sept. 19, CCSD employees can participate in one of Reinhardt’s master’s degree programs at a discounted cost.
“This new agreement is an outstanding complement to our School Board’s longstanding Partnership Agreement with Reinhardt, as it further enhances how we collaborate in developing future teachers and expanding the knowledge of our staff to better serve our students,” said Dr. Brian Hightower, superintendent of schools.
The Educational Pathway provides a discount for CCSD teachers who are interested in pursuing a Master of Education in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Teaching or Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
“We are thankful for this new partnership and our existing partnerships with the Cherokee County School District,” said Dr. Nancy Marsh, dean of the Price School of Education. “We believe in strong educators, and while the Price School of Education is known for preparing first-time teachers for the classroom through our many baccalaureate degrees, we also help existing teachers invest in themselves and strengthen their skills in the classroom.”
The Master of Education in Elementary Education – perfect for the teacher who has an undergraduate degree in education – includes STEM or Gifted Endorsement options and is a hybrid learning option. Teachers take one face-to-face class and one online course per eight weeks. The M.Ed. leads to a recommendation for a Georgia Level 5 Certificate.
The Master of Arts in Teaching is designed for a professional with an undergraduate degree in a field other than education. A paraprofessional track for the MAT is available. The MAT leads to a recommendation for a Georgia Level 5 Certificate.
The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing offers Georgia Certified English and ELA teachers the chance to upgrade to a Level 6 Specialist. The MFA is a low-residency terminal degree program that includes online courses and three writing residencies in the summer.
