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SANFORD, N.C. — After six weeks of filling in as a teacher, Amanda Morse looked at her students and thought, “I can do this.” 

That confidence boost helped lead Morse, a teaching assistant, to check out �ڰ�������’s teacher preparation associate degree program. 

Morse was among the attendees at a recent “TA to Teacher” information night held by �ڰ�������, East Carolina University, and Lee County Schools to share information about a program called Partnership Teach with teaching assistants and other school support professionals. 

Through Partnership Teach, students can earn an associate degree in teacher preparation at �ڰ������� and then a bachelor’s degree in education from East Carolina University. 

Students complete the program locally, with no need to relocate. School employees can continue to work while they are learning. 

“I have just fallen in love with the kids and the job,” said Morse, who has worked in a special needs classroom at SanLee Middle School for three years. “I just feel sometimes that they need someone that’s like me.” 

Partnership Teach is one of multiple paths that students can take, with help from �ڰ�������, to gain the education and experience they need to become certified teachers. 

“The best way to staff our schools is to grow our own,” Lee County Schools Executive Director of Human Resources Patricia Coldren told the event participants. “You know the kids, you know the families, you know the community, and you are already showing up for them every day.” 

Ginger Harris Bartholomew, Department Chair for Education Programs at �ڰ�������, said students can take �ڰ������� courses in person, online, or a combination of both, at a flexible pace.  

She also pointed out that many teaching assistants and other school employees have college credits they could apply toward the associate degree in teacher preparation. 

ECU Partnership Teach Coordinator Lynn Mooring said that all the classes students take at ECU for Partnership Teach will be online. 

Groups of students start the program at ECU together and take classes together each semester. 

“We want them to become study buddies,” she said. “We want them to develop that relationship.” 

Chanel Simpson, a teacher at J. Glenn Edwards Elementary School and graduate of the Partnership Teach program, said her transition from �ڰ������� to ECU was seamless, and she was able to complete both her teaching practice and internship in Lee County. 

“When I graduated, I felt well-prepared and confident to enter the classroom as a teacher,” she said.

Following the information session, Morse said she appreciated the genuineness of the speakers and was excited to get started on the next steps. 

“It’s very heartwarming, just seeing how passionate everyone is around here, and there is a lot of support in Lee County,” she said. “It just feels like where I’m supposed to be.”