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Future Teacher Programs

Growing Our Own Growing Our Own Teachers is an innovative program that supports and mentors high school students who desire to pursue a career in education. The PWCS program helps to identify, recruit, and mentor those current students who after college may commit to Prince William County classrooms as teachers and school leaders.

Check out the offerings for our aspiring educators!

Educators Rising (formerly known as Future Educators Association® FEA), is a Career and Technical Student Organization that assists middle and high school students in career exploration. The association is unique in its ability to offer students unparalleled, age-appropriate professional development opportunities, including annual conferences and access to a state-of-the-art social networking website. An Educators Rising club is active in each of Prince William County’s eleven high schools for students in grades 9-12.

Patriot High School Group Photo   Freedom High School Students   Educators Rising at Forest Park High School

Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Teachers (TSTT) is a unique, innovative career development and mentoring program that recruits culturally diverse high school students and prepares them for college and rewarding careers in teaching. Participating students are identified as early as the ninth grade for entry into a guided, eight-year teacher training program that begins in high school and continues throughout college. TSTT is a collaborative model that unites students, parents, school districts, colleges, and corporate members in the pursuit of bringing the best and brightest teachers into the noble profession of teaching. As of July 2020, TSTT is no longer available in PWCS high schools.

TSTT Participants at an event   TSTT Participants at an event

Courses

Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow (VTfT) is a course offered to high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing a career in education. The program is monitored through the Virginia Department of Education. Students explore the teaching profession and are guided through the history of education and the functions of schools and school divisions. Additionally, the students experience the classroom as they become acquainted with teachers and teaching on a personal and professional level, including a brief internship in a classroom setting. Students completing the VTfT course are eligible to receive four dual enrollment credit hours from Shenandoah University. VTfT is currently offered in six of our high schools with a goal to add courses at additional high schools for the 2020-21 school year.

Teacher Cadet reading to younger students

Group photo of Teacher Cadets   Group photo of Teachers Cadets at James Madison University

Early Childhood Education and Services (ECE) is a course offered to high school students interested in careers working in early childhood. Students focus on occupational skills needed by personnel employed in early childhood-related fields, such as education, medical/health care, social services, counseling, psychology, and entrepreneurship. Practical experiences under the supervision of the instructor are an important component of this course. Early Childhood Education and Services is currently offered in four of our high schools.

Group photo of 2019 Osbourn Park High School graduates on a stage

High School Course Catalog (PDF)

School Advisor Programs
Battlefield High School TBD
571-261-4400		 Educators Rising
Brentsville District High School Katherine Meints
703-594-2161		 Educators Rising
Forest Park High School Nancy Jones
[email protected]
703-583-3200		 Educators Rising
VTfT
Freedom High School Samantha Hiatt
703-583-1405		 Educators Rising
VTfT
Gar-Field High School Leslie Barbour
[email protected]
703-730-7000		 Educators Rising
VTfT
Hylton High School Erica Oliver
[email protected]
703-580-4000		 Educators Rising
Osbourn Park High School Tia Edwards
[email protected]
Christina Mullins
[email protected]
703-365-6500		 Early Childhood Education
Educators Rising
VTfT
Patriot High School Amber Tiernan
[email protected]
703-594-3020		 Early Childhood Education
Educators Rising
VTfT
Potomac High School Ashley Catlett
[email protected]
703-441-4200		 Educators Rising
Unity Reed High School Stephanie Nash
[email protected]
Gabrielle Sulkowski      [email protected]
703-365-2900		 Early Childhood Education
Educators Rising
VTfT
Woodbridge High School Cynthia Lazo
[email protected]
703-497-8000		 Educators Rising

Growing Our Own Courses

Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow (VTfT) I

Fosters student interest, understanding, and appreciation of the teaching profession and allows secondary students to explore careers in education. Students build a foundation for teaching; learn the history, structure, and governance of teaching; apply professional teaching techniques in the VTfT classroom and reflect on their teaching experiences. Additional educational leadership opportunities are offered through the student organization, Educators Rising.

  • Grade: 11/12 with application
  • Prerequisite: 2.7 GPA and application and teacher recommendation
  • Dual Enrolled at some locations (3 credits)
  • Associated Institution: Shenandoah University

Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow (VTfT) II

Students continue to explore careers in the Education and Training Cluster and Pathways. This course provides the opportunity for students to prepare for careers in education as they research post-secondary options, learn about the process of teacher certification in Virginia, and participate in a practicum experience. Additional educational leadership opportunities are offered through the student organization, Educators Rising.

  • Grade: 12 with application
  • Prerequisite: 2.7 GPA and application, teacher recommendation, VTfT I
  • Dual Enrolled at some locations (3 credits)
  • Associated Institution: Shenandoah University

Early Childhood Education and Services I

Students prepare to be primary providers of home, family, or institution-based child care services by focusing on the planning, organizing, and conducting of meaningful play and learning activities; child monitoring and supervision; record-keeping; and referral procedures. Critical thinking, practical problem solving and entrepreneurship opportunities within the field of early childhood education are emphasized. Practical experiences under the supervision of the instructor are required. Students also prepare for continuing education leading to careers in early childhood fields.

  • Grades: 11-12
  • Prerequisite: Admission to all students by application
  • Dual Enrolled at some locations (6 credits)
  • Associated Institution: NVCC

Early Childhood Education and Services II

Students focus on occupational skills needed by personnel employed in early childhood-related fields, such as education, medical/health care, social services, counseling, psychology, and entrepreneurship. Work-based experiences under the supervision of the instructor are required. Critical thinking, practical problem solving, and entrepreneurship opportunities within the field of early childhood education are emphasized.

  • Grades: 12
  • Prerequisite: Early Childhood Education and Services I
  • Dual Enrolled at some locations (3 credits)
  • Associated Institution: NVCC

Dual Enrollment

Students enrolled in certain high school courses can choose to become dual-enrolled with participating post-secondary institutions. Through agreements between PWCS and these colleges, students get a head start in college by earning credit for college courses by taking corresponding high school courses. Unlike Advanced Placement classes, which require additional testing to receive college credit, students enroll in college and receive credit upon successful completion of the course.

Type of Program

Base-School Opportunities only.

For more information contact:
Kelli Stenhouse, Organizational Development Specialist for Human Resources
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 703-791-8020

Benefits of Growing Our Own in PWCS:

  • positively impacting the academic performance of all students,
  • providing all students the opportunity to experience diversity in their teachers,
  • developing teaching staffs that reflect the diverse society in which we live,
  • providing a strong education system that leads to highly qualified graduates who then become skilled members of the workforce.

Explore other CTE programs.
Explore other Special Opportunities.