Agreement Benefits Harrison Co. Students

An agreement between Pierpont Community & Technical College of Fairmont State University and the Harrison County Board of Education has created an articulated program of study in Paraprofessional Education. The program will enhance educational opportunity and make the completion of a college degree more affordable for Harrison County students.

A Paraprofessional is a highly qualified teacher's aide as defined by the federal mandates of No Child Left Behind.

Pierpont C&TC is one of two institutions in West Virginia that is piloting the new program through a grant from the West Virginia Council for Community & Technical College Education. The program provides Harrison County students with a direct path to a community college degree. One goal of the Pierpont C&TC two-year program is to create a seamless transition from high school to the School of Education at Fairmont State by keeping students updated on their progress along the way. Students still must go through the Fairmont State application process.

"All too many students start college without a clear idea of what they want to do," said Blair Montgomery, Pierpont C&TC President. "This program gives students the opportunity to get an overview of the field of education before they embark on their college career."

The Teacher Cadet Program is a pilot program at Bridgeport High School. It is modeled from a very successful program that started in Rock Hill, S.C., and is housed by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (CERRA). During the Teacher Cadet block class, students study the history, development, organization and practices of education.

Kristie Latocha, Program Coordinator for Paraprofessional Education, leads the Teacher Cadet program at Pierpont C&TC and Renee Johnson leads the program for Bridgeport High School.

"Students participate in a one-semester course now, but next year they will be able to have 35 hours in schools observing and assisting master public school teachers," Latocha said. 'This gives students a taste of the reality of the teaching profession."

To earn college credit for their high school Teacher Cadet certificate program, Harrison County high school students must complete the Teacher Cadet courses and receive a certificate of completion and a grade of 74 percent or higher on the TCEOC Examination; successfully complete English 12 or AP English with a C or higher; successfully complete Algebra II with a C or higher; and apply for direct admission to Pierpont C&TC after high school graduation or enroll at Pierpont C&TC within three years after completing the Teacher Cadet program.

For more information, contact Kristie Latocha at (304) 367-4919 or klatocha1@fairmontstate.edu.