The Bagwell College of Education’s Department of Elementary and Early Childhood Education is proud to partner with DeKalb County School District (DCSD) in support of its Para-to-Teacher Apprenticeship Program. This innovative program is designed for DeKalb County paraprofessionals who have completed at least 60 college credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree or hold an associate degree and meet the admission requirements of Kennesaw State University and the Bagwell College of Education. The apprenticeship is an intensive two-year undergraduate teacher preparation pathway that enables participants to earn a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification in Elementary Education (P–5).
Program participants, known as DeKalb Para Apprentices, continue serving as active
paraprofessionals while completing their coursework, allowing them to apply research-based
instructional practices and pedagogical knowledge directly in classroom settings.
This hands-on approach strengthens the connection between theory and practice and
prepares apprentices to transition seamlessly into full-time teaching positions upon
successful completion of the program and graduation from KSU. As part of its commitment
to developing highly qualified educators, DCSD covers approved program-related expenses,
including tuition and fees, textbooks, and other designated educational costs.
The Apprenticeship Program emphasizes academic excellence through field-based learning experiences, research-based best practices, and meaningful professional engagement. A cohort model fosters a collaborative learning community in which apprentices benefit from peer support, mentorship, and networking opportunities. At the same time, close faculty engagement provides personalized academic guidance, professional development, and ongoing support throughout the program, helping apprentices build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for success in today’s elementary classrooms.
Partnership Spotlight Archive
Spotlight Year 2026
April
Kennesaw State University/Bagwell College of Education and the Fulton County School
District are partnering to create new opportunities for high school students to accelerate
their college education and pursue careers in teaching.
Through the dual enrollment initiative, Fulton County students can earn college credit while in high school, gain early classroom experience, and have a streamlined admissions process into the Bagwell College of Education. The structured academic pathway allows Fulton County High School students to take approved Kennesaw State courses through Georgia’s Career, Technical, and Agricultural (CTAE) program. Students can earn 30 or more college credits before high school graduation, saving time and significantly reducing the cost of earning a degree.
Kennesaw State will provide dual enrollment courses aligned with its teacher preparation programs, along with academic advising and degree planning, to students pursuing the CTAE’s Teaching as a Profession career pathway. The partnership also enables participating Fulton County students to apply to KSU at no cost and receive priority orientation and registration.
Together, Fulton County Schools and Kennesaw State will provide coordinated advising, shared resources, and ongoing support to help students succeed at every stage – from high school through college and into the workforce.
The school district also plans to offer priority hiring consideration to program graduates
who meet employment requirements, helping create a direct pipeline from high school
to college to career.
March
The Department of Secondary & Middle Grades Education Youth STEM Literacy Initiative and The Young People’s Project
Beginning in Summer 2025, Kennesaw State University partnered with The Young People’s Project to bring five Flagway teams to four different middle schools in the Clayton County Public Schools District. Flagway is a competitive relay race-style game that enforces foundational pre-Algebra concepts among middle school students. Teams are led by college students, known as College Math Literacy Workers, who are extensively trained through The Young People’s Project’s near-peer learning model. They lead practices with their middle school students up to 3 days each week and are mentored by Quincy Dawson - the Director of Youth STEM Literacy Initiatives at Kennesaw State University’s Department of Secondary and Middle Grades Education. College Math Literacy Workers involved in Flagway coordinate with schools to schedule practices with their students, manage a team budget, all while mastering the Flagway curriculum to prepare their students to compete in both local and national Flagway tournaments.
Together, The Young People’s Project and Kennesaw State University use education to develop students into leaders by putting them in positions of power, which gives them a voice for how math education should be done, as well as agency to make a positive impact for themselves and others. This philosophy from The Young People’s Project began with their founder, Robert “Bob” Moses, as a Civil Rights activist in the 1960s and now lives on through students participating in math literacy work across the country.
Kennesaw State University’s math literacy work doesn’t stop at Flagway. Through partnership with Clayton County Public School, we are able to bring several math literacy programs to their students, where we put students in leadership positions. These include Math Literacy Coaching, where students coach aspiring math teachers through a teacher-credentialing program; and Joy in Math, where high school students work alongside math teachers throughout the summer to map curriculum and develop lesson plans.
February
Bagwell College of Education and the Rome City School District
The Bagwell College of Education is proud to renew its partnership with Rome City
Schools to support educators pursuing advanced degrees. This collaboration is strategically
designed to strengthen professional capacity across RCS while expanding meaningful,
no-cost pathways to graduate education.
Aligned with the district’s strategic priorities, the program enhances educator effectiveness, builds instructional expertise, and stabilizes the district’s workforce. By leveraging local and statewide staffing data, RCS identified high-need disciplines to ensure the partnership directly addresses critical workforce gaps.
As a result, participating educators pursue master’s degrees in key areas such as Literacy Education, TESOL, Secondary & Middle Grades Education (SMGE), Curriculum & Instruction, Special Education, Teacher Leadership and Educational Leadership. Through this focused approach, the partnership drives measurable improvements in teacher retention, instructional quality, and long-term workforce sustainability while cultivating strong internal leadership pipelines.
January
The Department of Inclusive Education and Rome City Schools
The Inclusive Education Department (INED) is partnering with Rome City Schools to
support the district in addressing student behavior challenges. This work is part
of a broader collaboration between Rome City Schools and the Bagwell College of Education.
As part of this partnership, the Inclusive Education Department (INED) recently delivered a one-day professional development experience titled Cracking the Code: The Science Behind Student Behavior. The program served both elementary and secondary educators, with a morning session designed for PK–5 teachers and an afternoon session for grades 6–12, reaching approximately 400 participants.
Sessions engaged educators in examining their school discipline data, participating in interactive learning around effective classroom management, and exploring Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) strategies to reduce burnout while addressing challenging student behaviors. Participants provided positive feedback and expressed strong interest in continued support. This professional development represents one component of an ongoing collaboration focused on strengthening support for Rome City Schools’ teachers and students.
Spotlight Year 2025
December
The Department of Educational Leadership at Kennesaw State University's Bagwell College
of Education has launched an innovative partnership with the Atlanta Neighborhood
Charter School (ANCS) aimed at preparing the next generation of teacher-leaders. This
collaboration is anchored by the newly established Dual Certification Master's program
in Teacher Leadership and Educational Leadership, designed to foster sustainable and
effective distributed leadership within the district.
ANCS leaders have worked closely with KSU faculty to align aspects of the ANCS aspiring
leaders program curriculum with three KSU courses, which makes ANCS program graduates
eligible for credit for prior learning at KSU. The program also leverages candidates'
on-the-job experiences, offering significant time and financial savings.
Upon completion, graduates will earn a master's degree and certifications in Teacher Leadership, Tier I Educational Leadership, and a GaPSC Coaching Certificate, all in under two years for less than $10,000. Additionally, the ANCS offers employees a stipend to enroll in the M.Ed. in TLEDL at KSU. This partnership is expected to serve as a model for similar collaborations across the state.
November
KSU’s Bagwell College of Education Partners with Learn4Life and the Atlanta Speech School
The Bagwell College of Education, along with the Atlanta Speech School and Learn4Life
are proud to announce the launch of the Impactful Read Alouds in Early Literacy Microcredential,
a first-of-its-kind professional learning opportunity designed to strengthen early
literacy in Georgia communities. This new microcredential empowers families, civic
leaders, volunteers, and community members with practical tools to foster a strong
foundation in language and literacy development for young children. By focusing on
effective read-aloud practices, participants will learn how to create meaningful story-sharing
experiences that spark curiosity, strengthen vocabulary, and build the skills children
need for long-term reading success.
To earn the microcredential, learners will view the short video “Introducing Reading With Children” featuring Malcolm Mitchell and Master Teacher Whitini Coleman of the Kenan Preschool at the Atlanta Speech School. At the end of the video, participants will be able to scan a QR code to download and complete the credential.
Employers and organizations whose team members complete the microcredential can be confident that participants have developed a strong understanding of how to engage young learners through storytime.
Asian American and Latinx Studies Professional Development for Gwinnett County Teachers
Dr. Sohyun An and Dr. Theresa Alviar-Martin, co-founders of Asian American Voices for Education, a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to promoting inclusive education in Georgia’s K–12 schools, have secured a three-year National Education Association grant. This initiative supports teachers of color across Georgia in developing leadership skills and instructional practices that deepen students’ understanding of Asian American and Latinx Studies. As part of the grant, they are launching a year-long professional development series this fall for educators in Gwinnett County. This work represents an exciting step forward in equipping Georgia teachers to deliver a more humanizing, accurate, and inclusive education for the state’s increasingly diverse student communities.
September
This summer, the Fast Start Academy—led by Dr. Megan Adams, Virginie Jackson, & Sanjuana Rodriguez, formed a new partnership with the Cobb Community Foundation to strengthen its impactful 4-week summer literacy program. The Fast Start Academy brings together KSU students and faculty to provide tutoring and educational activities for elementary students who are reading below grade level. Offered at no cost to families, the program aims to boost literacy skills while offering positive role models. Students receive daily literacy instruction and are immersed in “college life” through museum visits, music, and meals. Each day begins with structured literacy blocks, followed by interactive read-alouds, writing activities, and hands-on learning experiences. College education and social work majors serve as teachers and gain valuable hands-on experience meeting the unique needs of every learner. Marietta City Schools is a valued partner, generously providing breakfast, lunch, and bus service for participating students. Thanks to a generous $38,000 grant from the Cobb Community Foundation, the program was able to build literacy skills, foster confidence, and help students and future educators grow together.
The Department of Inclusive Education and Secondary & Middle Grades Education partner
with the Dekalb County School District (DCSD)
The Department of Inclusive Education and the Department of Secondary & Middle Grades Education are proud to continue the partnership with the DeKalb County School District through the IGNITE (Inspiring Greatness and Normalizing Innovation in Teacher Education) DeKalb Teacher Residency Program. Now in its second year, this collaborative initiative is designed to provide an innovative, alternate route to teacher certification—preparing highly qualified educators to serve in DeKalb’s Horizon schools.
Through this program, the Inclusive Education Department in the Bagwell College of Education offers a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Special Education, while the Department of Secondary & Middle Grades Education offers the MAT in Secondary Mathematics and Biology. Additionally, KSU’s iTeach unit supports the program by providing expert coaching for mentor teachers.
IGNITE is open to aspiring educators—including current paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, tutors, non-certified staff, and college graduates—who are committed to shaping the future of education. Selected candidates will receive a fully funded opportunity to earn a teaching credential and a post-secondary degree, with no out-of-pocket costs. The DeKalb County School District will cover all tuition, textbooks, certification assessments, and associated fees.
Participants will be employed full-time by DCSD in paid, $30,000 student-facing roles, working alongside experienced mentors while completing their coursework and clinical experience as teacher residents. Following successful completion of their degree programs, DeKalb teacher residents will be given the opportunity to work as full-time teachers in DCSD. This program exemplifies a shared commitment to developing a skilled, and dedicated teaching workforce—empowering the next generation of educators.
July
LDT 4600 (Capstone/Portfolio) partners with Aspiring Community Entrepreneurs (ACE)
Program at KSU
This past spring, Learning, Design, and Technology (LDT) undergraduate students in
LDT 4600 (Capstone/Portfolio) partnered with the Aspiring Community Entrepreneurs
(ACE) Program at KSU. The ACE Program is a collaboration between the Michael J. Coles
College of Business and MUST Ministries that helps support emerging community entrepreneurs.
ACE is part of the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative created by Dr. Mike Morris
at the University of Notre Dame, which is a network of universities and nonprofit
organizations dedicated to facilitating business growth among America's most economically-challenged
neighborhoods.
During the spring semester, LDT students interviewed facilitators from the ACE Program's
6-week bootcamp and conducted a focus group with some of the current participants
in the ACE Program. Students then created learning objectives for the bootcamp, a
Slack user guide, and a key terms document.
This summer, two students are partnering with the ACE Program for their LDT internships.
Those students are creating an instructor guide and PowerPoint templates for the ACE
Program's 6-week bootcamp, as well as a final report of the work conducted in the
spring. These deliverables will enhance efficiency of program delivery and ensure
consistency across learning modules.
June
Empowering New Educators: KSU iTeach and Paulding Celebrate Induction Success
KSU iTeach has partnered with the Paulding County School District to provide targeted support for new educators through the NEST (Novice Educators Support Training) program. Launched in fall 2024, the NEST program offers new teachers and their mentors a comprehensive induction experience that includes professional development sessions utilizing the Bagwell College of Education’s specialized lab spaces, embedded coaching, and collaborative professional learning communities. These efforts aim to build teacher confidence, support retention, and foster long-term success in the classroom.
KSU iTeach is proud to share that Paulding County School District has earned Induction Certification from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE)—a recognition of the district’s commitment to high-quality, sustainable support for novice educators. This rigorous certification process required the district to meet standards in seven key areas: roles and responsibilities, leadership and organizational structures, mentoring, orientation, ongoing performance assessment, professional learning, and program evaluation.
iTeach offers sincere thanks to Dr. Cynthia Davies and Ms. Trina Williams, whose leadership
and vision helped launch this partnership. We look forward to continuing and expanding
our work together in the years ahead.
May
KSU Italy and the Department of Secondary & Middle Grades Education
Kennesaw State University has a permanent international education site in the Renaissance town of Montepulciano, Italy. KSU Italy offers students the chance to live and study in Italy while earning course credit toward a degree. Bagwell College of Education offered a Maymester experience in Montepulciano in 2017, and the Department of Secondary and Middle Grades Education (SMGE) is very excited to have renewed those partnerships for 2026. Other programs and colleges offering programming in Montepulciano are General Education, Coles College of Business, Wellstar College, and World Languages. SMGE will offer a section of EDUC 2130, Exploring Teaching and Learning, in Montepulciano in Maymester, 2026. Our partners are Professor Marco Mosconi, leading the Licei Poliziani secondary school and Professora Caterina Mangiaracina, leading the Sculoa Primaria lower secondary school. SMGE is most excited about what this opportunity provides to our KSU students. Students can earn up to 9 credit hours in their four weeks in Italy – they earn 3 hours for EDUC 2130, 3 hours for an undergraduate research internship, and they can take a proficiency test in Italian for 3 hours of credit upon their return after taking a course in Italian while abroad.
April
University of Paderborn, Bagwell College of Education, and Marietta City Schools
The University of Paderborn, in Paderborn, Germany, has partnered with the Bagwell
College of Education and Marietta City Schools to expand exchange opportunities for
students in both countries.
In 2025, three BCOE students are spending five months in Paderborn working in schools to complete their clinical experiences in education. In November 2025, three University of Paderborn students will spend six weeks completing an internship in Marietta City Schools while completing research projects in the BCOE’s Interactive Research Methods Lab. Additionally, the partnership provided an opportunity for 12 Marietta High School teachers to complete a week of professional development in Paderborn schools and the University of Paderborn, bringing together teachers and faculty from both communities.
BCOE offers sincere thanks to Drs. Sabine Smith and Jeannette Bottcher, who created
this partnership many years ago. We also offer thanks to the Halle Foundation, who
offers financial support to both BCOE and Paderborn students to fulfill these exchanges.
March
Clinical Experiences, Placements, and Partnerships Unit (CEPP)
The Clinical Experiences, Placements, and Partnerships unit (CEPP) in the Bagwell
College of Education at Kennesaw State University (KSU) is delighted to spotlight
three P-12 partners in the Cobb County School District who consistently provide excellence
in mentorship and training for field and year-long clinical students. These administrators
are open to accepting students from Bagwell College, while ensuring that they have
positive and enriching learning experiences.
Smitha Middle School Principal, Mr. Chris Salter and Assistant Principal Ms. Sarah
Drake, accepted 50+ placements.
Mr. Dean Yoder, Principal of Pearson Middle School and Bagwell Alumnus welcomed 25+
students with excitement and a willingness to encourage them to stay in the teaching
profession. Principal Yoder is a Bagwell Hall of Fame inductee.
Wheeler High School Principal, Mr. Paul Gillihan, placed 20+ students to complete
field hours. He is a dedicated proponent of student success. This semester he was
gracious to offer a field extension to a student who works full-time, attends KSU
full-time, and participates in sports. Principal Gillihan is a great supporter of
Bagwell students.
Each administrator embodies and provides:
Inspiring leadership - Their leadership is not only effective but deeply inspiring, making every learning
experience meaningful and engaging.
Supportive Mentorship - They have an incredible ability to guide, support, and challenge students in ways
that foster growth, confidence, and success.
Approachable & Encouraging - They create an environment where students feel valued, heard, and motivated to
reach their full potential.
Passionate & Engaging - Their enthusiasm for education and student success is contagious, making every interaction
an exciting opportunity to learn and grow.
Invested in Student Success - They go above and beyond to ensure that students not only succeed academically
(by having a nurturing environment for field and year-long clinical placements) but
also develop the skills and mindset needed for future success in teaching and learning.
Role Models - Bagwell students consistently comment about their positive experiences at Pearson,
Smitha, and Wheeler.
These leaders are dedicated and lead with integrity and a passion for education. They
are exceptional partners and thought leaders for CEPP.
February
Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) and the Educational Leadership Department
Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement (GLISI) and the Educational Leadership Department at Kennesaw State University (KSU) have established a formal partnership to expand leadership opportunities to Georgia Educators. The partnership
allows graduates of the (GLISI) Aspiring Leaders program to earn nine hours toward
the newly established Master of Education in Teacher and Educational Leadership. This
unique degree is only offered at KSU, and it prepares candidates to obtain Tier I
and Teacher Leadership state certifications. Tier I certification allows educators
to serve in various school-based leadership roles, such as Assistant Principals. Teacher
Leadership prepares educators for various non-administrative leadership roles, such
as instructional coaches, subject area department chairs, Professional Learning Community
(PLC) leads, etc.
January
School of Instructional Technology & International Society for Technology in Education
(ISTE)
The School of Instructional Technology & Innovation at Kennesaw State University's
Bagwell College of Education has partnered with ISTE and Microsoft to equip preservice
educators with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively integrate Generative
AI into teaching and learning. This fall, the School of Instructional Technology and
Innovation was invited to pilot an innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) module
designed by ISTE to prepare preservice educators for incorporating Generative AI into
teaching and learning. A select group of 10 students, under the leadership of Dr.
Tricia Frazier, participated in the pilot, gaining valuable insights into the future
of education.
The 5-hour module, supported by a sponsorship from Microsoft, includes an introduction
to AI, its ethical considerations, and practical applications for teaching and learning,
along with hands-on activities and a certificate upon completion. As part of the pilot,
Dr. Frazier had the unique opportunity to collaborate with ISTE's course designers,
offering feedback to refine the module before its wider international release.
This spring, this opportunity will be expanded to preservice teachers enrolled in
ITEC 3100 and ITEC 3200, ensuring they can complete the module and earn their AI certificates
at no cost. Thanks to our partnership with ISTE and Microsoft, we are empowering future
educators with essential skills to navigate and leverage AI effectively in their classrooms.
We are grateful for our partners at ISTE and Microsoft for their dedication to enhancing
preservice teacher education. Their support allows us to remain at the forefront of
preparing educators for the evolving landscape of teaching and learning!
