Photo courtesy of ECU.edu.

Community college transfer students who have a passion for teaching and a commitment to remain in eastern North Carolina now have the opportunity to continue their education with some peace of mind.

East Carolina University's College of Education plans to offer 15 new Partnership Teach Fellows scholarships in 2020 to residents in eastern North Carolina, including Lenoir, Jones and Greene counties.

Teachers with a two-year degree can complete their coursework through the Partnership Teach Fellows bachelor's degree program. The scholarships, valued at $10,000 each, were contributed by an eastern North Carolina funder.

"All of our school systems need teachers. We love to grow our own and this helps us be able to do that," said Deborah Grimes, senior vice president of instruction and student services at Lenoir Community College.

"Working with Partnership, we know they are dedicated and work with students in whatever area they want to go into. They've always had Partnership Teach, but to have these scholarships is very nice."

Lenoir Community College serves prospective teachers in Lenoir, Jones and Greene counties. Those students are available to apply for the scholarships and obtain a degree that is highly respected in North Carolina.

ECU partners with 20 community colleges and 43 school districts to prepare students for successful transfer and degree completion. More than 850 students have graduated with teaching degrees from the Partnership Teach program since its inception.

The Partnership Teach online model provides an affordable, convenient solution for degree completion in elementary education, special education and middle grades education. The distance model was created in 2002 to assist working adults to earn their teaching degree and remain in their home communities.

Partnership Teach Coordinator Kathy Bradley in a press release said, “North Carolina faces a growing teacher shortage and the Partnership Teach online model provides an affordable, convenient solution for degree completion in elementary education, special education and middle grades education.”

Grimes is aware of North Carolina's teacher shortage.

"We really want people who want to be a teacher," Grimes said. "It behooves our area to look at these scholarships. It's a wonderful opportunity for our students."

ECU has a long-standing tradition of excellence in education and prepares more educators in North Carolina than any other university. The ECU College of Education is a statewide leader in educator preparation, professional development and community engagement.