Duke Energy Foundation donates to teacher program

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The Duke Energy Foundation has given $100,000 to the Greenville Alternative Teacher Education program, a certification program that addresses the shortage of teachers in Greenville County. The program is a collaboration between Public Education Partners and Greenville County Schools.

The program provides a pathway into the teaching profession for people with subject-area bachelor’s degrees, but who lack formal training in education. Participants go through coaching and mentoring, receive ongoing evaluation, and are provided multiple opportunities for participation in professional learning communities.

“Programs that foster a growing interest in the math and science fields help our communities continue to grow and produce skilled workers who bring new ideas and innovations to our lives,” said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president, in a news release. “The work that Public Education Partners does to create a pipeline of new teaching talent that contributes to the success of students in Greenville County is something Duke Energy is proud to support.”

In August 2016, the first year of the program, 10 new math and science teachers were hired to teach in nine Greenville County middle and high schools. This year there are 18 new math and science teachers. Beginning in the 2018-19 school year, the program could include up to 20 new teachers, and will include the subjects of French and Spanish, the release said.