Invest In Yourself: Join an Information Session!

The Office of Human Resources and Development provides higher education partnership opportunities to MCPS employees who are seeking teacher certification or licensure, continuing professional development, or who are pursuing career advancement. Register on Professional Development Online. Below, get more information on upcoming interest meetings for several programs.

Bowie State University, Reading/Literacy Master’s Program
Tuesday, Dec. 5; 4:30–5:30 p.m.
RSVP on PDO, course #91696

This online graduate program in Reading/Literacy Education from Bowie State University leads to a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree. The program is designed to prepare graduate candidates to focus on all aspects of literacy instruction and to complete leadership experiences that prepare for the role of a reading specialist. Classroom teachers who are not interested in a leadership position could also consider the program to gain current research-based information to assist with effective literacy instruction with a focus on racially, culturally, linguistically and socioeconomically diverse students. The program is guided by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the International Literacy Association (ILA), Maryland Cultural Proficiency and International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards. For more information, contact Dr. Jacquelyn Sweeney or visit the Higher Education Partnerships website. A flyer is available here.

Moreland University, TEACH-NOW
Tuesday, Dec. 5; 5-6 p.m.
RSVP on PDO, course #91498

Moreland University's TEACH-NOW certification program helps conditionally certified teachers earn teaching licensure. This asynchronous online program provides a flexible, affordable and accelerated pathway to certification. During this information session, participants will:

• Learn about the program’s schedule, learning goals and requirements.
• Complete the application. 
• Learn about the licensing process.
• Meet the Moreland team and an MCPS graduate of the program. 

A flyer is available here. For more information, contact Dr. Susanne Thompson or visit the Higher Education Partnerships website. 

Montgomery College, Culturally Responsive Educators Aspiring for Teaching Excellence
Wednesday, Dec. 6; 4:30-5:30 p.m.
RSVP on PDO, course #89298

For the Montgomery College (MC) Culturally Responsive Educators Aspiring for Teaching Excellence (CREATE) teacher cohort program, employees should be current MCPS support professionals who hold permanent positions. Members of the cohort will earn an associate of arts in teaching degree, the first two years of the required four-year degree. MC will assist employees who are new to college, or who have some college credits, in developing an academic plan that allows them to graduate in two to three years and transfer to partner universities to complete the bachelor’s degree required to become a certified teacher. For more information, send an email here or visit the Higher Education Partnerships website. 

Johns Hopkins University, Special Education Teacher Immersion Training (SET-IT) Program
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 6-7 p.m.
RSVP on PDO, course #87107

The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) SET-IT master’s degree program has two focus areas: elementary/middle school (grades 1–8) and secondary/adult levels (grades 6–12) in special education. For this two-year program, participants will work for MCPS as special education paraeducators during the day and take JHU courses in the evening. A flyer is available here. For more information, contact Alexandra Shelton or visit the Higher Education Partnerships website.

University of Maryland, Master of Education in Mathematics Education
Thursday, Dec. 7, 5-6 p.m. 
RSVP on PDO, course #91659

The University of Maryland, College Park is offering a continuing education opportunity for MCPS teachers already certified in elementary education, special education or ESOL—a master’s degree in mathematics for middle grades. These teachers should be teaching or planning to teach in 4th through 9th grade classrooms. This 30-credit, three-year master’s degree program prepares teachers to become highly qualified in middle grades mathematics. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. All courses are offered at the Universities at Shady Grove. Classes are weekly during the school year and twice in the summer. Tuition is the same rate for in-state and out-of-state teachers. No GRE is required. 

A flyer is available here. For more information, contact Dr. Beatriz Quintos at the UMD Center for Mathematics Education website, or the program’s Prezi.

Notre Dame of Maryland University
Thursday, Dec. 7, 6-7 p.m.
RSVP on PDO, course #87163

Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) will host an information session to review course offerings. While they will give an overview of all of their programs in the Department of Education, the bachelor’s degree pathway for certification in ESOL or special education and the graduate-level pathway (a non-degree, graduate-level, state-approved teacher education program leading to initial certification in ESOL, special education, math, computer science or Spanish) are the two MCPS partnership programs at NDMU.

For more information, contact Sarah Gruen or visit the Higher Education Partnerships website.

“How to Become a Teacher in MCPS” Information Session
Monday, Dec. 11, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
RSVP on PDO, course #87524

In this session, participants will learn how to become a certified teacher in MCPS. Attendees will examine the commitment MCPS has for support professionals who want to become teachers; understand the Maryland State Department of Education certification process; explore the degree pathways for teacher certification and learn about the specific MCPS offices and departments that collaborate for employees pursuing careers in teaching. Click here for additional information. For questions, email Heather Harman or Brittany Mackel.

Bowie State University, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
Thursday, Dec. 14, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
RSVP on PDO, course #90779

Bowie State University will offer a three-to-four-year Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree in Educational Leadership. This is ideal for K-12 teacher leaders and administrators who wish to tackle current school system challenges, collaborate with like-minded peers and implement system improvement initiatives.

With a focus on helping students enhance their professional careers, the degree is centered on contemporary issues students are facing. Degree concentrations include:

• Innovative technology.
• Social justice.
• Special education leadership.
• Reading and counseling leadership.
• Executive-level leadership.

To be eligible, employees must have a master’s degree from an accredited institution in school administration or a closely related field, five or more years of successful teaching experience, and three or more years of leadership experience. An informational flyer is available here. For more information, contact Dr. Renee Foose or visit the Higher Education Partnerships website.