Tri-C Joins Two Other Education Institutions to Create 2+2+2 Teacher Training Program

CLEVELAND, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire/ — Cuyahoga Community College President Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton joined the president of Central State University, the CEO of the Cleveland Municipal School District and the Interim Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents on Tuesday, February 6th, to sign documents creating an unusual long-term teacher training program. The agreements create the Urban Teacher Training Initiative, which will allow students to seamlessly transfer from one institution to another as they study to become teachers focused on teaching successfully in urban environments.

“These agreements create a ‘cutting-edge’ educational pathway for future urban educators,” said Dr. Thornton during the signing ceremonies at Tri-C’s District Office. Students who complete the program will earn an associate degree from Tri-C and a bachelor’s degree from Central State.

The program begins for 11th grade students who are part of the Teacher Education Academy at Cleveland’s John Adams High School. These students will have the opportunity to earn dual credit — coursework that applies toward high school graduation and as credit at Tri-C — during their last two years of high school. Upon receiving their diploma, students will continue their academic career at Tri-C, where they will enjoy dual enrollment status at Central State.

Upon earning an associate degree at Tri-C, students will transfer to Central State’s College of Education in Wilberforce, Ohio. Following two years of study focused on urban education, the students will earn a bachelor’s degree. Central State and Cleveland State officials are now working to establish a relationship that would then enable these Central State graduates who return to the Cleveland area to proceed on to advanced degrees.

Tri-C President Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton; Central State University President John Garland; Dr. Eugene Sanders, CEO of the Cleveland Municipal School District; and Dr. Garrison Walters, Interim Chancellor, Ohio Board of Regents, all signed the agreements creating the Urban Teacher Training Initiative.

Tri-C student Tierra Andrea Morrison — the first student to become part of the initiative — was recognized at the signing ceremony. Morrison will graduate with an associate degree from Tri-C in May, then begin classes at Central State this fall.

Cuyahoga Community College

CONTACT: Dan Minnich, Executive Director, Media Relations, of CuyahogaCommunity College, +1-216-987-4807

Web site: http://www.tri-c.edu/