CCSD to Expand Career Pathway Program for Teaching Profession

Sequoyah High School teacher Rachel LaChine prepares students for future roles as educators through the Career Pathway program for Teaching as a Profession.

The Cherokee County School District is expanding its Career Pathway program to prepare future teachers thanks to a new state grant!

The School District has earned a competitive Cultivating Teachers grant from the Georgia Department of Education.  It is one of 38 school districts statewide selected, and CCSD earned the highest level of award at $10,000.

The funding will help CCSD with its plan to add a Career Pathway program in Teaching as a Profession at Etowah High School for the 2024-25 school year.  CCSD offers 38 Career Pathway programs districtwide to prepare students for a wide variety of vocations, including offering industry certifications (learn more at https://www.cherokeek12.net/career-technical-agriculture-education).  

The Teaching as a Profession program is offered at Creekview HS, River Ridge HS and Sequoyah HS, and the related Early Childhood Education program is offered at Cherokee HS and Woodstock HS.  The new program will fill the gap at Etowah High School to ensure its students interested in careers in teaching and education also have a Career Pathway option.

CCSD teachers who lead the Pathway programs for teaching and education see many of their students go on to pursue careers as teachers.  Additionally, many of those alumni return to CCSD to teach, making the program even more beneficial to the school district and community at large.  Upon successful completion of one of the two teaching Pathways, passage of the End of Pathway exam and submission of an appropriate portfolio of work, students are awarded three college credit hours by the University System of Georgia … and guaranteed an interview with CCSD upon graduating from college and earning professional certification.  

“Across the country, school districts face increased challenges in hiring new teachers to join their workforce,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian V. Hightower said.  “We’re very fortunate in Cherokee County to be a destination district for teachers, but part of our success is due to growing our own future educators through our Career Pathway teaching programs.  We’re very appreciative of the state’s support in investing in this program and the future of public education.”

State Superintendent Richard Woods proposed the program expansion, which recently was approved by the state board of education.

“We are committed to providing support for programs cultivating the next generation of Georgia educators,” Superintendent Woods said. “Teaching is the only profession that impacts all other professions, and we want to ensure we provide the best educational opportunities for students who wish to become teachers.”

Dr. Hightower thanked Dr. Krista Webb, who oversees CCSD’s career education program, for her dedication to expanding Pathway choices and working with local employers to improve Pathway partnerships.

“Providing opportunities for all students is the focus of career, technical and agricultural education,” Dr. Webb said.  “The Teaching as a Profession and Early Childhood Education Pathways offer students an opportunity to begin to pursue their career goals while still in high school.  I am very grateful for the support of Dr. Hightower and the state in growing and improving our education pathways.”

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