Broadcast on WLOS, July 14, 2020
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Asheville–Buncombe Technical Community College has expanded its teacher training programs.
The department’s name has changed and the scope of its work has expanded to include not only early childhood education but also K-12 education teacher preparation
The newly named Department of Education now includes two new degrees in teacher preparation to complement the existing early childhood education degrees.
The associate of arts and associate of science in teacher preparation will be two-year degrees that allow students to identify as education/teacher preparation majors while enrolled at A-B Tech, Department Chair of Education Jennifer Bosworth said in a news release.
“These new degrees would create opportunities for high school students who desire to enter the education field through the Career and College Promise. These degrees will bring our students education-focused courses and practical experience in classrooms through observations and lab hours with school-age students prior to transferring to a senior institution, allowing them to begin to identify themselves at future teachers while still here at A-B Tech” she said.
The education program will still offer programs for students interested in teaching children birth to kindergarten.
The associate degrees earned at A-B Tech provide a good springboard to four-year degrees and careers in teaching.
"We have smaller class sizes than many of the universities, and we are home. We are right here in Buncombe County, and we serve Madison County. So, we are home. And students can come here, get their first two years out of the way before transferring on to a university, maybe even transferring to Mars Hill [University], for example. They offer degrees in education," Bosworth said.
A-B Tech is ready to enroll students in the new programs next month.