PRIZE - FUTURE TEACHERS COHORT (Grades 11-12) DUAL ENROLLMENT

PRIZE - FUTURE TEACHERS COHORT (Grades 11-12) DUAL ENROLLMENT

West Chester’s PRIZE Program intends to increase the number of teacher candidates in the pipeline, as well as the number of candidates from diverse backgrounds, while giving students direct experiences that lead to a career in teaching. The application process begins in the fall of junior year. Students looking to pursue the field of education will begin taking West Chester asynchronous online and/or hybrid-flex courses at PWHS, senior year, at no cost! Courses are accredited dual enrollment through West Chester University.

PRIZE: Partnering in Raising Inclusive-Zealous Educators
Teacher Pipeline Initiative

The Commonwealth is experiencing a drastic increase in the need for teachers. In 2020-2021, the Commonwealth issued 5,039 new certifications, as opposed to 25,728 in 2012-2013. With the “great resignation”, teacher preparation programs are in need of students.

West Chester’s PRIZE Program intends to increase the number of teacher candidates in the pipeline, as well as the number of candidates from diverse backgrounds, while giving students direct experiences that lead to a career in teaching. Students looking to pursue West Chester University, in the field of education, will begin taking courses online at PWHS (dual enrollment credit) through WCU at no cost!

Available courses include:

SED 100 - An Exploration of Secondary Education (3 credits)
This course will introduce students to the nature of secondary school teaching. This introduction will include looking at some fundamental aspects of the profession like standards, basic lesson planning, and assessment. The course will lay a foundation for students to (1) envision best practices for teaching and learning, (2) engage in professional conversations around pedagogical practice, and (3) function as reflective practitioners. (HYBRID-FLEX)
EDA 103 – Foundations of Special Education (3 credits)
This course is designed to acquaint students with the historical legal evolution of the field of education, additionally focusing on characteristics of individuals with disabilities. (ASYNCHRONOUS)
EGP 209 – Child Development: Pre-birth to 5 years (3 credits)
This course covers the normative and atypical development of children from pre-birth through 5 years across all development domains. The earliest years are exciting, interesting and a continually changing time in the lives of children. This course will cover content from research, personal experiences and observations. (ASYNCHRONOUS)
MUE 220 – Music for Diverse Learners (3 credits)
This course is provides students with skills, knowledge, understanding, and attitudes necessary to meet the needs to students with diverse needs in an inclusive music education classroom. (HYBRID-FLEX)
EDT 349 – Technology to Transform Teaching & Learning (1credit)
This course explores theoretical and practical issues related to the effective integration of technology in teaching and learning. (In-Person)
HPE 186 – Motor Development and Motor Learning (3 credits)
Understanding how children and adolescents acquire motor skills and become skillful movers requires an integration of knowledge from the fields of motor development and motor learning. Physical education teachers must be able to use motor development knowledge to design goals appropriate for the developmental stage and perceptual motor abilities of the learner; and use motor learning knowledge to design appropriate movement tasks and practice conditions for the type of skill. (HYBRID-FLEX)

Selection Criteria and Registration

Candidates are students in Grades 11-12 and must have a 2.8 or above GPA to enroll in the PRIZE Education program (dual enrollment) at West Chester University and must complete the application process online (click here for the online application). The Dual Enrollment registration form must be signed by your counselor before being officially accepted.
Rising seniors will participate in a summer on-campus experience at West Chester University and agree to attend at least one virtual and/or in-person event held at West Chester University in relation to majoring in Education.

See your counselor for details and click here to visit West Chester University online for more information.