Teacher Cadet Training Program
INTRODUCTION
Our nation is in the midst of a teacher shortage! To address this shortage, the American Association of Christian Schools, in cooperation with the Tennessee Association of Christian Schools, has developed a high school teacher-training program that will help Christian schools across the country fill their teacher needs.
The Teacher Cadet Training Program is designed to introduce students to the ministry and profession of Christian school education. Only high school juniors and seniors who express an interest in teaching and who have high academic standards and outstanding Christian character are admitted to the Teacher Cadet Training Program. Teacher cadets will participate in actual classroom responsibilities assumed by Christian school elementary and secondary teachers.
THE CRITERIA
A student admitted to the Teacher Cadet Training Program must meet the following criteria:
- Profess and exemplify a personal relationship with Christ.
- Have an interest in teaching.
- Be a high school junior or senior.
- Have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
- Be recommended by two teachers.
- Be willing to invest limited time before or after school.
- Demonstrate a love for children.
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Teacher Cadet Training Program is to introduce students to the Christian school ministry and profession, to encourage students to pursue a teaching degree at a Christian college, and to encourage students to teach in a Christian school after graduation.
CHRISTIAN SCHOOL DEFINED
A Christian school is defined as a Christian institution established and operated for the education and spiritual preparation of students attending nursery schools, kindergarten, elementary/secondary schools, and church schools. A Christian school subscribes to the historic Christian faith as set forth in the Scriptures and as upheld by such educational organizations as the American Association of Christian Schools.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
The teacher cadet class meets the first or the last period of the day or at a time determined by the participating school for a minimum of 50 minutes. The cadet training class addresses many of the aspects common to Christian school teaching. The first semester focuses on a general overview of teaching as a ministry and a profession. Each cadet will have a teaching experience in multiple classroom settings during the second semester. Teacher cadets receive a full credit for the class.
The teacher’s curriculum guide is a 1000-page manual divided into eight units:
- Philosophy
- The Teacher
- The Student
- Curriculum
- Assessment
- Parents
- Law
- Career
THE TEACHER
The teacher cadet teacher is selected by the school administrator. This person must have achieved success as a classroom teacher and be willing to motivate and train young people to prayerfully consider investing their lives in Christian school education. This teacher and a supporting teacher are required to attend a one-day orientation for the Teacher Cadet Training Program
TRAINING THE TEACHER
The teacher-training sessions are held in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The training session is one day of intense instruction and training in the use of the teacher cadet curriculum. The curriculum guide provides all the materials the teacher needs to teach the Teacher Cadet class. The support teacher attends the training session with the cadet teacher. Enrollment is limited to twenty-four teachers from twelve schools
COST
The curriculum and training cost is $400. This includes one Teacher Cadet Training Program curriculum and the training of two teachers.
Contact the National Office for more information or to schedule a teacher-training session.
