Upstate community college creates new school to address teacher demand

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In a move to address the growing demand for qualified educators in the Upstate, Spartanburg Community College is establishing a School of Education.

The new school is aimed at building upon the college’s Early Care and Education (ECE) program and developing new, diverse pathways for individuals to enter the teaching field, according to a Spartanburg Community College news release.

According to the 2023-24 SC Educator Supply and Demand Report by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement (CERRA), teacher vacancies in the state increased by 9% from the previous school year. Furthermore, the projection will be more than 1,700 average annual job openings for elementary school teachers, 730 for middle school teachers, and 1,150 for secondary school teachers across the state through 2026, the release states.

“Strategic investments in education will yield vast returns,” said Dr. Michael Mikota, president of Spartanburg Community College in the release. “The creation of a School of Education is a strategic investment in our future that empowers individuals to become well-equipped educators who nurture the next generation from cradle to career. This initiative is financially attractive to those who seek an education pathway, and it also ensures sustainable growth and prosperity in our region.”

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Spartanburg Community College’s ECE program trains students to work in childcare centers, preschools, public schools, Head Start programs, and private kindergartens. The program plays a key role in supporting children and families in Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties by aiming to improve the quality of childcare in the communities the college serves, according to the release.

In addition to the ECE program, one crucial aspect of this new school will be the development of future programs specifically tailored to help meet the demand for well-trained, certified teachers in the Upstate. By expanding pathways into the education field with both established and new, innovative programs, the college’s goal is to prepare the next generation of educators and address this growing demand head-on, the release states.

Benita Yowe, who has served as the college’s Dean of Health Sciences since 2019, has been appointed as the Dean of the School of Education. Yowe will be responsible for overseeing the launch and growth of the school, ensuring its programs meet academic standards and prepare students for the education field, the release said.

“As an educator for 30 years, I recognize the value of teacher preparation and the importance of equipping, training, and graduating students who are prepared and qualified to teach throughout our service area and beyond,” said Yowe in the release. “With the tremendous growth and momentum across the Upstate, the need for quality childcare and excellent schools is paramount. SCC is committed to addressing that need, and as dean, I will work diligently to promote SCC’s School of Education and propel the college’s vision in a way that contributes to the growth and excellence of education in Spartanburg and its neighboring counties.”