Laredo Community College and the South Texas Workforce Development Board on Wednesday announced a new opportunity that makes it possible for individuals with baccalaureate degrees to pursue a career in education.
The workforce agency has entered into an agreement with LCC to provide full tuition to eligible participants who enroll in the college’s Teacher Certification Program (TCP).
The TCP at LCC is an alternative certification program open to anyone with a bachelor's degree with the desire to teach in Texas public schools in grades K-12, including bilingual education and technology applications.
STWDB Executive Director Rogelio Trevino met with LCC officials at the college’s TCP office Wednesday to announce the new opportunity and explain the process that determines eligibility.
To qualify for assistance, individuals must meet low-income guidelines or be eligible for dislocated worker benefits.
The dislocated worker must be:
· - a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen
· - registered with Selective Service (if applicant is a male born on or after January 1, 1960)
· - 18 years or older
AND
· - terminated, laid off or received notice of lay off, and unlikely to return to previous industry or occupation; or
· - affected by permanent closure or substantial lay off; or
· - formerly self-employed and is now unemployed; or
· - part of a public announcement involving the lay off of 50 or more employees; or
· - a displaced homemaker as defined in category 6 of TWC guidelines.
Additionally, Trevino noted that participants may also qualify for other adult services provided by the Texas Workforce Center, including child care and transportation. Interested persons are encouraged to visit the Texas Workforce Center at 2389 E. Saunders or call 794-6500.
The STWDB is responsible for administering an integrated workforce development system, including job training, employment and employment-related educational programs. It serves the counties of Webb, Jim Hogg, Star and Zapata.
LCC delivers most of its teacher certification instruction through distance education. Distance education classes allow students to take coursework via the Internet. Some students in the Technology Applications program are required to attend on-site instruction on Saturdays.
The college has also made all attempts to offer the training program at a reasonable cost to the participants.
The program length consists of four semesters for the uncertified track, two semesters for the emergency certified track, and one semester for the certified track.
Applications for admission and more program information are available on the college website: www.laredo.edu. For more information, contact the LCC Teacher Certification Department by calling 764-5986 or by email, teachered@laredo.edu.
South Texas Workforce Development Board Executive Director Rogelio Trevino (left) explains the process to receive full tuition to attend the Laredo Community College Teacher Certification Program. Others present for the announcement are, L-R, Dr. Estelle J. Sit, LCC Dean of Workforce Development; Gloria Benacci, TCP Director; Cindy Villarreal, United ISD Human Resources Teacher Recruiter; and Blas Castañeda, LCC Chief Development Officer. Looking on is Robert Griessel, a participant in the college’s Teacher Certification Program.
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