(File Photo)
Monaca, PA – Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) today announced the launch of its newest High School Academy for students in grades 11 and 12 interested in careers as educators. The Education Academy, CCBC’s sixth of its kind, provides students at participating schools the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in diverse educational settings while learning how to prepare developmentally appropriate lessons and learning environments. CCBC’s Education Academy students can earn up to 28 college credits while still working towards a high school diploma.
“We are pleased to launch the CCBC Education Academy for Western Pennsylvania’s up and coming students interested in early learning and development,” said Joyce Cirelli, dean of high school academies and dual enrollment at CCBC. “At CCBC, we are committed to providing opportunities to students that fill the pipeline of quality education professionals in the region and nationwide. We look forward to seeing this new Academy grow and become a significant part of the pathway here at CCBC.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there was a net loss of 65,000 public education workers between September 2021 and October. The shortage of teachers includes full-time and substitutes in K-12.
“School superintendents have expressed the need for teachers across all grade levels,” said Lia Hazelwood, CCBC’s dual enrollment assistant and champion of the Education Academy. “Due to these shortages, schools are desperate to fill voids with educators that are qualified and eager to make a difference in their classrooms and school districts. These demands can be filled by young entry-level professionals with increased knowledge and skills developed through our Education Academy.”
Education Academy classes will commence in Fall 2022. Enrollment is currently open.
CCBC High School Academies launched in 2015 with the Aviation Academy followed annually by Health, STEM, Criminal Justice, and Mascaro Construction. Regionally, these five academies educate more than 200 students from 60 school districts allowing them to explore careers in areas of workforce priority while receiving direct instruction from college faculty in labs and classroom environments that stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Often seniors will graduate high school with up to half of their associate degree completed.
CCBC is one of 43 institutions nationwide able to offer high school students access to Pell Grant funding and the High School Academy program is the recipient of the Carnegie Science Award for Leadership in STEM Education.
Learn more about CCBC’s High School Academies here, or contact the High School Academies and Enrollment Office:
Dean, Joyce Cirelli
724-480-3474
Assistant Dean, Lauren Susan
724-480-3418