CONWAY, SC (WBTW) – South Carolina could lose thousands of teachers when the “TERI” incentive program ends this year. The program allowed retired teachers to return to the classroom and draw a pension.
This will impact every county in our part of the state and the Horry County School District is working to hire teachers who don’t have a traditional teaching degree.
“Our educator programs at our colleges don’t produce the number of graduates we need in order to fill the vacancies that we have within our district and within the state of South Carolina,” said Human Resources Director at the district, Anna Carroll. “So that’s why we are really putting alternative certification at the forefront.”
There are several alternative certification programs available for people who didn’t get a teaching degree but are now interested in teaching.
“We need good people and good teachers in front of our students each and every day,” added Carroll.
Computer Science teacher at St. James High School, Elisha Revis, is one of several teachers in the district who got their alternative teaching certification.
“I started college as an education major and quickly realized that I didn’t want to teach the traditional math or science,” said Revis who has always been passionate about computers and technology. “So I changed my major and then graduated as business information systems.”
After graduating, Revis worked at the district office with online learning and in student affairs at Horry Georgetown Technical College but always dreamed about being a teacher. She signed up for the Program of Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) and took the job at St. James High School which is also her alma mater.
“What I appreciated more than anything about the PACE instructors was they are actual educators in our state,” explained Revis. “They have firsthand experience and they are there to guide you and give you every tool you need to be successful.”
Carroll said the district is looking to hire about 250 teachers for next school year and they will be holding an informational event on Thursday, February 22 from 3:30-6:00 p.m. at the District Office in Conway for anyone with a bachelor’s degree looking to get more information on how to get an alternative certification.
Anyone interested is asked to bring an official or unofficial transcript and staff members will be available to answer questions and find a program best suited for your background. You can read more information about the event by clicking: here.
Revis said the teaching profession has been extremely rewarding and encourages anyone who may think teaching is for them to get information from the district.
“Take a risk, take a jump, take a leap of faith and you’ll find it’s just as rewarding for you as it is me,” she added.