Fast Track to Education Certification Available to WWC Students
Iris Seaton | February 10, 2022
Quinn Bonney
Small children roll relatively large logs.
Reducing the cost and time required to receive a teaching license is made possible by the 4+1 partnership between Warren Wilson College (WWC) and UNC Asheville (UNCA). The program combines course requirements at WWC with classes at UNCA, setting students up to earn a license over the course of only a single professional year at UNCA after graduation from WWC.
Because of WWC’s lack of an education certification program, students may spend up to two years after graduation earning a license to teach. Students in the 4+1 program complete a four-year bachelor’s degree through WWC including three program-specific course requirements. Additionally, students take an average of one class per semester at UNCA.
The professional year, a key component of the entire program, takes place at UNCA. This allows students to move directly from graduation to earning experience in student teaching roles and earning a teaching license in two semesters. This reduces not only the time it takes to receive a license, but can save students the expense of an extra year, and provide for connections that may be more difficult to locate without enrollment.
Annie Jonas, Ph.D., is a professor and chair of the education department at WWC. She works to help students enroll in the program.
“It takes some of those barriers down for people that have to kind of start from scratch,” Jonas said. “In some ways it can inform your undergraduate program. You're out there, getting that experience while you're an undergraduate, rather than waiting for your professional year to get that time in a classroom.”
Students enrolled in the 4+1 program are assigned an advisor at UNCA, aiding them in making connections with UNCA before graduating and entering their professional year. Generally students enroll in the program as a sophomore or junior. Working with children whilst still in an undergraduate program at WWC allows students a head start on work that might otherwise take an extra year of classwork elsewhere.
The 4+1 program was founded five years ago, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of staffing, participation in the program has thus far been relatively low. Jonas explained that there are currently five students at WWC enrolled, and that the program has been gaining roughly two students a year. Recently, Rebecca Bodenheimer, the coordinator of field placements at UNCA, has taken a lead on the program.
“I think we're finally at a point where we've got the right person in place to make the improvements that are needed,” Jonas said. “Now that we've got Rebecca, that's going to be their landing point when they meet with advisors.”
Jonas encouraged students with any interest in the program to fill out Bodenheimer’s simple interest form, explaining that Bodenheimer is the best person to contact for initial information about the program.
Jonas also stressed that this program is not only for students majoring or minoring in specific fields. She hoped that students would reach out to Bodenheimer with any questions if they had even a potential interest in teaching.
“I would encourage people, if they've even considered the possibility of teaching, they should inquire about whether this might work,” Jonas said. “They don't have to give up their major. I think some people think, ‘I've got to change my whole trajectory,’ but many of our majors will move you towards licenses.”
On a similar note, Jonas wanted to remind students interested in education that the education minor at WWC can be valuable even for students not interested in a teaching license.
“The minor is separate from the license and can be a good choice for people who are interested in education but may or may not be interested in teaching,” Jonas said.
Kai Yakimenka is a sophomore at WWC in the 4+1 certification program. He is currently majoring in English and is considering the possibility of an education minor. Yakimenka plans to teach middle or high school students after completing his English degree through WWC and professional year through UNCA.
“Being able to gain my license concurrently with my undergraduate degree is a great opportunity,” Yakimenka wrote. “Mainly because all of my current knowledge is fresh and I can apply it in the field.”
This sentiment, also expressed by Jonas, is one of the most important pieces of the entire program. Building on a traditional four-year college experience with a post-baccalaureate program dedicated specifically to teaching is a different experience compared to the 4+1 program.
As stated by Yakimenka, students in the 4+1 program are earning licensure and degree requirements while actively being given the opportunity to work in their intended field.
“The most exciting part of this program is the numerous teaching opportunities you’re encouraged (or required) to complete,” Yakimenka wrote. “It seems extremely daunting at first, but soon you get much more comfortable with the students you’re teaching/observing. Field placements are also an amazing opportunity to decide whether education is really something you want to pursue. Also, in addition to all the teaching opportunities, the ability to explore a new college environment is very valuable to me personally.”
The 4+1 has many advantages to WWC students interested in teaching as a career path. However, Jonas and Yakimenka both expressed some difficulties with the program that are in the process of being ironed out.
“Thankfully, I know who to reach now, but first enrolling in the program was extremely daunting and overwhelming,” Yakimenka wrote.
Jonas commented on Bodenheimer’s hope to eliminate students’ difficulties in understanding who to contact, making the entire program more accessible. The program had a history of being easier to navigate within the WWC requirements, but more difficult and complex for students completing UNCA requirements.
For more information take a look at the new program website, or fill out the interest form.