Future Teacher Programs
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.
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.
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.
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.
High School Course Catalog (PDF)