Bethune-Cookman University News July 2017 B-CU/NFCAA Partnership Provides Teacher Certification and ParaPro Exam Workshops Free to Eligible Residents Since its inception, B-CU has produced world-class educators via its teacher education programs. A component of the University's 2013 -18 strategic plan focuses on enhancing the academic enterprise by expanding educational opportunities within Volusia and Flagler counties such that residents are job ready. To that end, it has established a community partnership with Northeast Florida Community Action Agency (NFCAA)<http://www.nfcaa.net/> -- an agency established in 1965 to combat poverty over a seven-county area, comprised of Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties -- to provide teacher preparation workshops to three distinct populations in order to assist residents in preparing for and passing Florida Educational Leadership, Florida Teacher Certification and Paraprofessional Praxis Assessment examinations and an ongoing pipeline to higher education. For those who qualify, NFCAA provides funding for eligible students and adult learners in its service area who require financial assistance to attend the workshops. "Initially, we piloted the workshops at the Hastings John W. Miller Center. Based on the interest and demand, we are currently structuring additional workshops," said Dr. Gale Gibson Gayle, Associate Vice President and Dean of University College, who shared that additional information sessions have been scheduled for Jacksonville and Tampa. The workshops meet a critical need given the number of low-performing schools in urban communities which is compounded by a dearth of certified teachers available to teach in those areas. "There is a shortage of teachers nationwide<http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-florida-teachers-shortages-job-disatisfaction-20160914-story.html> and there is also a shortage of male teachers and especially African-American male teachers," said Dr. Gayle. "B-CU is strategically addressing this issue by actively recruiting and enrolling more males into its teacher education program." Currently B-CU is implementing the certification and exam preparation workshops at all campus locations, including the Deltona site and main campus in Daytona. For additional information, contact Cheri D. Orr Support Services Coordinator (Hastings Campus), 386-481-2948 or orrc@cookman.edu. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/