Last year, 13,000 elementary students entered Austin schools speaking Spanish as their first language. As the need for bilingual educators continues to increase, so does the challenge to keep them in the classrooms.

“Research shows new teachers tend to quit within the first three years of employment,” said Sharon Duncan, director of ACC’s Teacher Certification. “By providing mentor and online support during that critical period, ACC hopes to reverse that trend.”

Through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, ACC has developed the Teacher Certification Program (TCP) to streamline the teacher certification process, remove barriers so that more qualified bilingual individuals can become teachers and improve teacher retention. The college has collaborated with other community colleges, school districts, the Texas Education Agency, and the State Board for Educator Certification to create a scientifically-based model for bilingual certification across the state of Texas.

The new program is expected to benefit Austin schools. “Bilingual education is a priority in the Austin Independent School District,” said Michael Houser, executive director of AISD’s Office of Human Resources and Professional Development. “However recruiting and retaining bilingual teachers continues to be a challenge for our district.”

Gina Camacho is one of 14 bilingual students who observed and helped facilitate classes at AISD’s Blanton Elementary this summer as part of ACC’s TCP. “ACC has provided me with a continued desire to work with children and to work side-by-side with veteran teachers,” said Camacho. “I have acquired ideas that I know will enable me and other ACC students to become the very best bilingual teachers we can possibly be.”

ACC’s Teacher Certification Program for bilingual educators is funded through a $1.3 million “Transition to Teaching” grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Also known as the Consortium of Opportunities for Learners (COOL), the program was created to increase the number of certified bilingual educators in under-served schools. Training includes a Bilingual Summer Institute in which participants work and observe in a local classroom.

The next information session for TCP is today, Oct. 13 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the ACC Highland Business Center, Room 201. For more information please visit or call 512-223-7653.