In this episode, host Janet Michael welcomes Brandy Hawkins Boies, Director of Public Relations and Special Events at Laurel Ridge Community College, Brenda Byard, Future Educators Academy coordinator, and Professor Lori Killough, Education Program Lead. They discuss the new Future Educators Academy (FEA) at Laurel Ridge Community College, designed to fast-track high school students into teaching careers.
The program will partner with local high schools to offer dual enrollment courses that count towards both high school and college credits, enabling students to earn an Associate of Science degree in Education by the time they graduate from high school. The academy focuses on preparing students for elementary and special education teaching positions.
Brenda explains that they started the program following Governor Youngkin's proposal for laboratory schools. Germanna Community College has already launched a similar program, and Laurel Ridge Community College plans to start theirs in the fall of 2025. The program includes "flex" Fridays, where students will participate in practicum placements, guest speaker sessions, field trips, tutoring, and test prep.
Professor Killough mentions that the program targets 10th graders who apply to join in their junior year. It's free for students, including all materials and a computer. Brenda emphasizes that students need a 3.0 GPA and must have completed Algebra II but can also qualify through placement tests or standardized test scores.
They discuss the application and selection process, revealing a lottery system to ensure fairness. The program encourages students to give back to their local communities by teaching in local schools for at least two years post-graduation.
Both Lori and Brenda share personal anecdotes about the rewarding nature of teaching and the various career paths it can open up, from coaching to working in the textbook industry and beyond.
For more information, visit: https://laurelridge.edu/fea
