By Mike Cavaliere

G eorgia College & State University’s ongoing efforts to develop the next generation of educators has garnered national recognition.

The Middle Grades Teacher Education Program at Georgia College earned the recognition as a Distinguished Teacher Preparation Program by the Association for Middle Level Education, which operates within the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. This designation is awarded to specialized programs that play a critical role in preparing a skilled workforce of educators.

“Developing new, high-performing and passionate teachers to lead classrooms in public schools throughout the state has always been part of our mission here at Georgia College & State University,” said Dr. Holley Roberts, interim provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “Our programs help students develop the essential skills they need to enter this noble career field and make an immediate impact.”

According to the job board Indeed, there are currently over 2,000 active teacher openings throughout the state of Georgia. In the past five years, Georgia College has prepared 1,021 new teachers — specialized across elementary, middle, special and secondary education — including 194 new teachers in 2024.

One innovative way GCSU prepares students to step into full-time teaching roles is through its field-based, mentor-led cohort model. This two-year Bachelor of Science path, which includes majors in elementary, middle grades and special education, provides opportunities for teacher candidates and teacher education faculty to engage in relevant, integrative curriculum built on rigorous national standards. Additionally, education students at GCSU have access to unique technology labs, opportunities to gain in-classroom teaching experience through local partnerships and options to pursue certificates and master’s degrees either in-person or online.

“This national distinction validates our ongoing efforts to fill Georgia’s workforce pipeline with top teaching talent,” said Dr. Joanne Previts, interim dean of Georgia College’s John H. Lounsbury College of Education. “Our students benefit by graduating with a solid foundation for success as they begin their professional journey; K-12 students benefit by having high-quality teachers lead their classrooms; and the state of Georgia benefits.”

The university has also been engaging with stakeholders across the state to develop innovative ways of addressing the teacher shortage. Earlier this year, Georgia College hosted the first statewide Teacher Pipeline Summit, which brought together more than 150 education professionals to address the critical need for K-12 teachers in Georgia.

GCSU has long been a leader in middle grades education. The College of Education’s namesake, Dr. John H. Lounsbury was one of the founding fathers of the middle grades movement. He served as dean of GCSU’s education school until his retirement in 1968.

Cover Image: An education faculty member from Georgia College engages with middle school students in Baldwin County, Georgia. (Photo: Anna Leavitt)