Janie Becerra entered ACC through the Teacher Pipeline. She now teaches at Blanton Elementary School. (Photo courtesy of Capital IDEA.)

Austin Community College will continue to shore up the teacher pipeline.

This month the ACC Board of Trustees affirmed the college’s partnership in the “Teacher Pipeline Program” that increases the number of bilingual and special education teachers in Austin ISD.

The Teacher Pipeline was established in 2004 to identify and recruit prospective teachers, especially those from among Austin ISD’s Spanish-speaking paraprofessionals. The program provides an educational roadmap and financial support so participants can earn their bachelor’s degree and become certified schoolteachers. So far, at least 20 people have enrolled.

The Teacher Pipeline partners ACC with St. Edward’s University, Huston-Tillotson University, Austin ISD, and the community-based groups Capital IDEA, Austin Interfaith, and Education Austin. The ACC board’s action November 3 extends the college’s participation for at least one year.

“The Pipeline is a win-win situation because it helps the school district grow its own teachers from within,” says Dr. Giao Phan, Chair of the ACC Education Instruction Department. “Participants get a wonderful opportunity to advance in their profession, and the school districts get a teacher who is already experienced in the classroom and committed to the profession.”

For information on the Teacher Pipeline Program or ACC’s Associate of Arts Teaching degree, email the Education Instruction Department or visit its website. You also can explore all of ACC’s teacher training opportunities by visiting austincc.edu/teach.