LCC Has Tips Today On Its Teaching Certificate Requirements

Residents interested in pursuing a career in teaching can look forward to Leeward Community College’s information session on its Associate in Arts in Teaching (AAT) program, set for 5:30 to 7 p.m. today (March 12) in Room GT 105 on the Pearl City campus.

The public is welcome to this free briefing, where they can meet faculty, staff and students, find out about degree and certificate requirements, and learn more about support services and financial aid options.

Also on the agenda are discussions of two certificate programs: the Alternative Certification for CTE Licensure and the Special Education Certificate of Competence.

“Under our AAT program, we have a variety of other options and opportunities for students,” said AAT program coordinator

Bobbie Martel. “The AAT is a degree that is an associate’s degree with an emphasis on teaching.”

Students normally take their general education requirements along with five core education courses.

“Those courses are typically only seen in a bachelor’s program,” Martel explained. “But the students in our program are taking them as freshmen and sophomores, so it gives them a jump start.”

Throughout their studies, students also have the option to work in local schools as part-time teachers.

Martel pointed out that this experience gives them a great foundation.

“Upon graduating, they are eligible to be education assistants, paraeducators,” she said, explaining that paraeducators are employees of schools and work under teachers and industry professionals.

After the articulated AAT program, students can transfer to colleges of education at the University of Hawaii- West Oahu, University of

Hawaii at Manoa and Chaminade University.

For more information on the LCC session or to reserve a seat, call 455-0467 or email pmdc@hawaii.edu.