On Wednesday morning, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Columbia County School District will host an inaugural TAP Talks at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center.
According to a press release from the district, the event is held in collaboration with Augusta University, and is designed to “inspire students who are currently pursuing teaching as a profession through the high school pathway.”
With over 250 students presently engaged in the Teaching as a Profession pathway, attendees will hear from current and previous county educators to learn about scholarship opportunities and dual enrollment options with Augusta University, as well as opportunities to network with the Columbia County’s Human Resources Department.
“Since 2019, the Columbia County School District has worked in collaboration with Augusta University to meet the shortage of teachers, by inspiring those students who are participating in the teaching as a profession pathway,” Columbia County’s press release said.
For the first time, students who are pursuing an education degree in the district will be offered the opportunity to earn up to 12 college credits from Augusta University, prior to graduation from high school.
“One of the best things we can do to ensure student achievement and success in the classroom for all students is to make sure we have an amazing teacher in front of every student in every classroom and every building in the Columbia County School District,” said Brooks Smith, Columbia County School District Director of Career, Technology and Agriculture Education (CTAE).
Smith also said he considers it the county’s responsibility to help ensure the growth of future teachers by raising a generation of “amazing” educators.
In addition, five $1,000 scholarships from the Health Center Credit Union will be awarded to graduating seniors from each high school who are currently in the teaching pathway. These scholarships will then be awarded at the annual Future Georgia Educators Signing Day event held during the Columbia County School District’s End of the Year Celebration for first-year teachers in May.
“We are excited to have the opportunity at TAP Talks to inspire these outstanding students who will one day be outstanding educators,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Tony Wright. “Building that solid pipeline of educators is crucial, and we want them to be great at what they do, as well as enjoy the journey, so hopefully they will come back and teach with us.”
