Are you interested in becoming a teacher?
Do you live in either Alexander or Catawba County NC?
Are you willing to teach in your home county for 4 of 7 years after graduation?
If the answer to these questions is yes, the Homegrown Teaching Scholars may be for you!
Homegrown Teaching Scholars
Eligible to qualify for preferred employment in home county upon graduation
Participate in enrichment activities designed to develop top-notch educators
Access support network during school career
Receive financial assistance information (loan availability varies)
The Homegrown Teaching Scholars program was created to provide a local solution to the teacher shortage in Alexander
County and Catawba County located in western North Carolina. The goal of the program is to recruit the "brightest and best"
recent high school graduates and second career adult learners and help these students become outstanding teachers. These
local teacher candidates not only receive a top-of-the-line education at Catawba Valley Community College (CVCC) in Hickory,
North Carolina, but also become active participants in the education process.
Homegrown Teaching Scholars participate in a stimulating range of activities during their college careers. Events include
the Summer Institute Educational Forum, and Tour NC trips throughout North Carolina.
Upon graduation from CVCC, students transfer to regional four-year colleges or universities to complete four-year teacher
licensure programs. Note: Many programs are offered at the Hickory-Metro Higher Education Center located 1 mile from CVCC
on Highway 70 SE. Scholars are also eligible for a limited number of student loans (depending on availability). Scholars
agree to teach in their home school systems for four out of seven years following graduation with a four-year degree in order
to repay the loans.
Best of all, upon graduation with four-year teaching degrees, students are eligible to qualify for preferred employment in their home counties!
The program is a cooperative plan of CVCC and the Alexander County, Catawba County, Hickory Public, and Newton-Conover City School Systems. Initial funding for the Homegrown Teaching Scholars was provided by the Golden LEAF Foundation. Sustaining funding is made available by Catawba Valley Community College. The Unifour Foundation Inc. and the Alexander County, Catawba County, Hickory Public and Newton-Conover City Schools provided matching dollars for the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 year.
