Blue Ridge’s Education Residency Program Takes On Teacher Shortage

Featured photo: Former Blue Ridge student Stephanie Burgos was among the first to participate in the Elementary Education Residency Licensure program. (Photo by Rich Keen.)

By: Marketing & Communications Dept.

A newer program at Blue Ridge is helping to address the teacher shortage in North Carolina.

In order to boost the field of education in Western North Carolina, Blue Ridge offers many options for those who want to be educators. One of the options is the Elementary Education Residency Licensure Certificate.

Dr. April Wright, a Teacher Preparation and Licensure faculty member at Blue Ridge, explained the certificate in simple terms.

“It is a licensure program for folks that have a bachelor’s degree in a non-educational field,” said Wright. “It’s available to those who want to teach elementary school, have a bachelor’s degree, and are employed in a local school district. Because our state has created alternate pathways for teacher licensure, we are able to offer an Education Preparation Program (EPP) at the Community College level.” 

Even better, residency licensing through an approved Educator Preparation Program (EPP) provider like Blue Ridge allows qualified individuals to begin teaching while completing North Carolina licensure requirements.

“This program allows the participants to teach while taking online courses,” said Wright. “This gets much needed teachers into classrooms at a faster pace.”

The participants receive coaching from the instructor who goes into the classrooms with them. Licensure students found this coaching helps with hands-on learning and the transition from previous career to teaching.

After completing the program and successfully passing three state assessments, participants apply for state licensure.

“This has been an effective strategy to address the teacher shortage,” said Wright. “People from all kinds of previous careers, ages, and backgrounds are moving into the educational field to support the growth and development of our young students.”

Learn more about the residency and other education programs at www.blueridge.edu/education.