CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There's a push to help ease ongoing teacher shortages across the state. 

According to the State of the Teaching Profession in North Carolina report, there were over 5,000 teaching vacancies at the start of the 2022-23 academic year. The majority of those positions were at elementary schools. 

What You Need To Know

  • A recent report reveals a continuing teacher shortage in elementary classrooms statewide 

  • The State Board of Community Colleges approved a new program to help address the shortages

  • It will be offered to bachelor's degree graduates aspiring to work in the elementary schools 

  • The graduates will be able to earn their teaching license at one of several community colleges 

The State Board of Community Colleges has taken steps to support getting more licensed teachers in the classrooms, particularly the elementary environment. 

The board recently approved a program for bachelor's degree graduates aspiring to teach in the elementary schools, allowing them to receive their teaching license at several North Carolina community colleges. 

In a statement, N.C. Community College System Interim President Dr. Bill Carver said the new program helps to make teacher licensing more affordable and convenient for graduates at local community colleges.

“North Carolina community colleges are making it easier and more affordable to become an elementary school teacher in your community,” Carver said. "We are committed to supporting the needs of the state through education programs that quickly and appropriately prepare graduates for vital classroom responsibilities.” 

The board approved the following community colleges to offer the new licensing residency program: 

  • Central Piedmont
  • Alamance
  • Fayetteville Technical
  • McDowell Technical
  • Western Piedmont
  • Blue Ridge
  • Wayne

A former elementary school teacher says this new program is a big deal for teachers who need to obtain their licenses. 

Jennifer Perkins serves as an associate professor at Central Piedmont Community College. As a young child, Perkins says she always knew she wanted to be a teacher.

"I fell in love, I love teaching," Perkins said. "I love that in the classroom, you're such a big influence. You're positively impacting lives on a daily basis. I taught in the elementary school for six years and took a break and thoroughly missed teaching. My heart was almost broken. I discovered I needed to be back in the classroom. That's when I came to Central Piedmont in 2004."

Perkins is now leading Central Piedmont Community College's Teacher Preparation Program, instructing students who aspire to be educators in the K-12 environment. After earning an associate degree, those students will then continue their learning at a four-year institution. 

But starting this fall, Perkins is embarking on a new chapter at the college, teaching actual elementary teachers who are seeking a license. 

"We will be coaches," Perkins said. "We will be there to support them, mentor them, help them through the process."

Perkins says a teacher can work in the school system with a bachelor's degree, but they must get licensed within a three-year period. She says the process of getting a license for current teachers can be costly and time-consuming. 

"They can go back and get a second bachelor's, they can go get their master's in education, or they can get a residency with the school district," Perkins said. "Those are three very hard, difficult, grueling options."

Perkins says Central Piedmont's new licensure program aims to make the licensing process smoother. 

It's an 18-credit-hour elementary education residency licensure certificate program. Students will take one or two courses a semester over a two-year period. 

Perkins says the expected cost for tuition, fees and textbooks is around $2,500.  

The curriculum will include supporting students through classroom observations and one-on-one sessions.

Perkins says the community college's licensure is key to filling teaching vacancies. Through the program, Perkins says students will feel fully prepared for the classrooms, so they'll be motivated to stay for the long haul. 

"This is a program that will support new teachers getting them licensed and keeping them in the classroom," Perkins said. "We want teachers that want to stay in the classroom. Typically, you see turnover in the first five years, and we want to get them beyond those five years. We want to see teachers in the classroom 10, 15, 25 years. We're going to mentor them, help them get through the process. That's what teachers need." 

Contact Perkins for additional details about Central Piedmont's programs.