South Texas College creates new resource for prospective dual credit faculty
South Texas College Dean of Dual Credit Partnerships Dr. Rebecca De Leon addressed over 60 prospective faculty from local school districts as part of the first-ever “Prepare to Become a Dual Credit Faculty" workshop.
South Texas College Dual Credit Programs hosted its first "Prepare to Become a Dual Credit Faculty" workshop, bringing together more than 60 educators from 21 partnering school districts seeking to begin the rigorous application process.
The event began as a collaboration between the college’s Human Resources, Career Services and Academic Affairs departments, created so prospective dual credit faculty have the resources they need as they begin to apply.
“Through this unique collaboration, we have developed this workshop to assist teachers interested in teaching dual credit classes, understand the process and most importantly, how to prepare for an interview here at South Texas College,” said STC Dean of Dual Credit Programs Rebecca De Leon, Ed.D. “This workshop is the first of its kind that we designed to cover all the key areas to ensure that when they're applying and they're getting into the classroom, that they're ready to go.”
The application process for prospective dual faculty is rigorous. In academic year 2020-2021 over 90 applications were submitted, but only 73 percent of the candidates met the required eligibility and were interviewed.
“Through this unique collaboration, we have developed this workshop to assist teachers interested in teaching dual credit classes, understand the process and most importantly, how to prepare for an interview here at South Texas College. This workshop is the first of its kind that we designed to cover all the key areas to ensure that when they're applying and they're getting into the classroom, that they're ready to go.”
“The college’s approval process for dual credit faculty applicants adheres to the same standards used to assess all STC faculty. This ensures program quality and rigor of our dual credit courses,” said Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D., interim vice president for Academic Affairs. “The workshop was an effective way for us to provide essential information and resources to increase the number of applicants that successfully proceed through our review process.”
Aaron Nino, an instructor of History at Mission Consolidated Independent School District for the last five years attended the event and said becoming a dual credit faculty member has long been a professional career goal.
“It's so important to be able to teach at the college level because that’s where our students are striving to get to. Being certified as dual credit faculty means I’m ready to meet those needs,” Nino said. “When we teach, and really with everything that we do at the high school, we do it with that goal in mind – to get students to college so they can get a degree.”
Celina A. Gomez, a dual credit faculty member for the last seven years, says the application process is rigorous since teachers are held to the same standard as instructors on college campuses.
“A lot of people don't fully understand how to become a dual instructor or understand that we are employees of the college and the high school. The dual program at STC has supported us and helped us feel like we are part of the family,” Gomez said. “The application process is demanding, but I would expect no less. I understand the expectations from the college and know that my students are our future leaders and innovators. It is our job to build that foundation and push them far beyond the college mindset.”
Dual Credit Programs will hold its next workshop for potential faculty in the spring. For more information, visit the program’s website at www.southtexascollege.edu/dual.