North Country Teacher Certification Program

You Can Get There from Here

The North Country Teacher Certification Program is an educational partnership to develop more teachers for North Country schools and provide a university education to place-bound students.

North Country Teacher Certification Program Whether because of family or work obligations, many potential students from communities in the region of New Hampshire known as the North Country haven’t been able to take advantage of campus-based educational programs at universities like Plymouth State. At the same time, many teachers in that area are beginning to retire, and while there are others willing to step into their shoes, it can be difficult to acquire the necessary credentials.

To address that need, Plymouth State University is collaborating with the New Hampshire Community and Technical Colleges and USNH’s Granite State College (formerly the College for Lifelong Learning) to provide bachelor’s degrees and teacher certification for place-bound students in the North Country.

“This is a wonderful example of how three public institutions with different missions can come together to jointly develop and implement an academic program that is needed in the northern part of our state,” says Karol A. Lacroix, president of Granite State College. “It is a true partnership that not only meets a workforce need, but in the process makes good use of our collective resources.”

Kathy Eneguess, president of NHCTC and a 1974 alumna of Plymouth State, echoed that sentiment: “The teacher education program is of critical importance to the next generation of teachers located in all of our northern communities. We are very pleased to be working in such a collaborative way with the renowned teacher education program at Plymouth State University, sharing resources, faculty and programs.”

In fall 2005, a cohort of 15 students began their first semester in the North Country Teacher Certification Program, as juniors working toward Bachelor of Science degrees in childhood studies from Plymouth State University.

“The cohort of 15 students was carefully selected to participate in this pilot program,” said Irene Mosedale, a member of the PSU education faculty and director of NCTCP. “Most began as students at North Country branches of NHCTC or GSC. Now they are pursuing bachelor’s degrees from Plymouth State, with all the same rights and responsibilities of any other fully admitted PSU student.” Through the fall and spring semesters, the group has taken their PSU courses together at NHCTC–Berlin, where they are taught by faculty from all three partner institutions. They can also enroll in NHCTC or Granite State courses for elective credits, thus broadening their options.

The students in the group range from traditional-age college students to non-traditional students. They are truly representative of the North Country region of New Hampshire. Of the 15 students in the program, four are from Berlin, four from Gorham, one from North Conway, one from Intervale, one from Groveton, two from Lancaster, one from Dalton and one from Jefferson. Many already work in schools as paraprofessionals. Becoming certified teachers will help them advance in their careers and financial stability, while expanding the number of much-needed teachers in the area.

Mosedale is very happy with the first year of the program. “Despite the challenges of balancing jobs and families, all of the students achieved at least a 3.7 GPA,” she said. “This was an especially significant achievement because, as full-time students, they were carrying at least 13 credits. For many, this was their first experience maintaining full-time status.”

Four NCTCP students received prestigious scholarships from Plymouth State University this year: Krystal Gilmore received one of the first Michelle Morse Book Awards; Lisa King received the Harold E. Hyde Scholarship; and Barbara Lennon and Reba McEntire were chosen for the Morgridge Family Opportunity Scholarship. Only one student left the program: Donald Weeks Jr. was called to active duty with the Marines in Iraq.

NCTCP student Tina Mooney sums it up well when she says, “I live in Dalton and have two grown children. Becoming a primary classroom teacher has been a dream for a long time. I am very proud and excited to be part of the NCTCP. Dreams can come true!”