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

January 3, 2007

Lacey, Wash. – Saint Martin’s University is offering an information session on the Secondary Teacher Alternate Route (STAR) Program at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 and again on Jan. 31 at the University’s Norman Worthington Conference Center, 5300 Pacific Ave. SE. The meetings are geared toward people interested in an intensive alternative route to become a secondary school teacher in Washington.

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 participants for Washington State teacher certification. An $8,000 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 in January and will be considered in the order received until the program is filled. Most participants will begin classes June 18, 2007.

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

Saint Martin’s University prepares students for successful lives through its 22 majors and six graduate programs spanning the liberal arts, business, education and engineering. A Catholic, Benedictine university, Saint Martin’s welcomes 1,100 students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey, Washington main campus, and 600 more to three extension campuses.

For additional information:

Anne Kirske
Interim communication director
Saint Martin’s University
360.486.8857
akirske@stmartin.edu