Saint Martin's sets information sessions for Alternative Teacher Certification Program

Jan. 9, 2006

Lacey, Wash. – Saint Martin’s University is offering information sessions on the Secondary Teacher Alternate Route (STAR) Program at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 and Feb. 6. The meetings are geared toward people interested in an intensive alternative route to become a secondary school teacher in Washington. Both meetings will be at the university’s Worthington Conference Center, 5300 Pacific Ave. S.E.

The STAR Program is designed for people who already have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and have five years of professionally oriented work experience, said education faculty member Ann Gentle, Ph.D., the program’s coordinator.

The one-year program includes the classes and internship necessary to prepare successful participants for Washington State teacher certification. A $5,000 conditional loan scholarship is available to those participants who elect to work in a “high needs” academic area. These are teacher shortage areas that are geographically related or subject-related, such as math, music, science, special education, English as a second language, or Japanese.

Each meeting will cover information about entry requirements, how the program works, the required classes and internships, financial information and teacher certification.

Applications for the program will be accepted beginning Feb. 6 and will be considered in the order received until the program is filled. Participants pursuing special education certification may begin classes as early as Jan. 17. Others selected for the program will begin classes June 19th.

Further information about the STAR Program is available from the Saint Martin’s University education division, (360) 438-4333, or from Gentle, (360) 438-4566; agentle@stmartin.edu.

For more information:

Ann Gentle, Ph.D.
STAR Program coordinator
360-438-4566
agentle@stmartin.edu

Deanna Partlow,
media relations coordinator
Saint Martin’s Office of Communication & Marketing
360-438-4541
dpartlow@stmartin.edu