Having previously worked as a classroom teacher for 16 years, Benita Hughes is very familiar with what teachers might refer to as “lightbulb moments” with students.
This describes when a student finally understands a concept they have been learning about; that look of “aha!” is something teachers strive for and will often describe as their favorite part about being a teacher.
Hughes has a new role in Berkeley County School District, but she still gets to see those awesome lightbulb moments – only now, it is with teacher candidates participating in the CarolinaCAP program.
Hughes serves as the lead coach in the district for those who use this alternative route to become a certified teacher in BCSD. Coaches are a part of the layers of support provided to those who participate in the program, and they work with the candidates on lesson planning and classroom management.
Coaches can attest that seeing candidates thrive in the classroom and make an impact on students is equally satisfying to witness.
“In this role, I love it just the same when the adults that I’m working with get their ‘aha’ moments in education,” Hughes said. “I receive the same gratification as I did when I was in the classroom.”
The ideal candidate
The Carolina Collaborative for Alternative Preparation (CarolinaCAP) is a partnership among South Carolina school districts, the University of South Carolina and the Center for Teacher Quality. It is an alternative pathway into teaching that combines the expertise of teachers, schools, districts, and institutions of higher education. The program lasts three years for candidates.
BCSD started its program in January 2022, and it has continued to grow. It started with six candidates last year, grew to 14 candidates, and now there are more than 24 enrolled – something Hughes is very excited about.
“When you see a program grow from six to 24…in a two-year span, imagine what that’s going to look like in two more years – in four more years,” she said.
Hughes described the ideal candidate as someone who has “the heart and art for teaching”; Sadaria Carter is one of them.
One would think from watching Carter that she has been teaching for years. She is certainly no stranger to Berkeley County School District. She is a proud 1995 graduate of the former St. Stephen High School. She went on to study early childhood education at Morris College in Sumter. Later, she became a longtime teacher assistant in BCSD, as well as a reading interventionist, working at Whitesville Elementary and J.K. Gourdin Elementary.
Carter is now in her second year of the CarolinaCAP program, and has been leading a kindergarten classroom at H.E. Bonner Elementary.
Her students adore her, it was evident through the amount of hugs she received during a recent classroom lesson last week.
It is a big responsibility leading a class with 24 students, but Carter finds a sense of peace in making sure her students get everything they need from her.
“I want them to see that…’I can go to Ms. Carter for anything,’” she said.
Carter is a very hands-on teacher, and she loves all the singing and dancing she gets to do with kindergartners. She also enjoys learning about how not every child learns the same way, but this year’s group seems to learn best through movement.
“I like to have fun,” she said. “We are working – but we’re having fun while working.”
One more year
There are two launching dates for candidates who enroll in the CarolinaCAP program – August and January.
Potential candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and meet the GPA and coursework requirements. During the program, candidates are required to complete the required Praxis subject area examination and apply for certification with the South Carolina Department of Education. After completing the application process, the initial training requirement and a confirmation of employment in the certification field with the school district, candidates will be issued their first CarolinaCAP Alternative Route Teaching Certificate.
Participants who complete all program requirements after three years in the program will be issued a Professional Teaching Certificate.
Carter recently passed the Praxis exam, and at this point has some micro credentials to complete – and in one year, she will be done.
“It’s been really wonderful,” Carter said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the children, I love being here – and I think they love me too.”
Carter opted to attain her teaching certification through CarolinaCAP after doing her research on the program. She said she felt welcomed in the program from the very beginning.
“The program is slow-paced, and I knew I could get my testing and everything done within the three-year timeframe,” she said.
As far as the support goes, both Hughes and Carter said the CarolinaCAP program is very resourceful: Candidates work with a virtual learning committee that connects them with candidates throughout the state, and they are connected to a coach that helps them with lesson planning and classroom management. They also receive help to prepare for the Praxis, and they get grade-level support from fellow teachers at their school.
As her coach, Hughes is one of Carter’s biggest cheerleaders.
“She is doing a phenomenal job,” Hughes said. “I’m very proud to see the growth.”
Carter’s advice to anyone considering CarolinaCAP: “Do it.”
“The program will help you, and there’s lots of resources and people that will help you along the way,” she said.
The program also helps with teacher retention; many of the candidates, like Carter, are people who previously worked within the district as teacher assistants – now they are well on their way to becoming full-time teachers.
“I feel like I’m making a positive difference by building the rapport with each candidate – whether they are on my roster or not – and being available for recruitment,” Hughes said. “I think we’re making a big impact in Berkeley County School District with CarolinaCAP. It’s a positive because…most of our candidates are products of BCSD, and many of them at least worked here at some point in time.”
All of BCSD’s administrators are aware of the CarolinaCAP program. If anyone working in the district is interested in this alternative route, they are encouraged to reach out to their school administrator. The administrator will connect them to Hughes.