OCPS: Pathways to Teaching
Thanks to the Rollins Pathways to Teaching program—a partnership between Rollins College and Orange County Public Schools—OCPS employees can complete a bachelor of arts in elementary education or a master of arts in teaching: elementary education with K-12 Reading and ESOL Endorsements and become a certified teacher while continuing to work as a paraprofessional.
Take advantage of a range of exclusive benefits as well as Rollins’ personalized support to earn your education degree and take the lead in a classroom of your own.
A Proven Path
Join the ranks of Rollins Pathways to Teaching graduates who are now leading classrooms of their own.
- 95%
graduation rate
- 100%
job placement rate
- $2,500
annual Rollins scholarship for OCPS employees
Scholarship & OCPS Employee Benefits
- A $2,500 annual scholarship from Rollins
- Textbooks and laptop provided during program
- Substitute provided during required teaching internship for applicants employed at a Title I school or stipend provided by Rollins College for non-Title I candidates
- Job prospects within OCPS as a Pathways to Teaching graduate
- $450 stipend for FTCE exam costs and tutoring
Designed to Fit Your Life
| PROGRAM LENGTH | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 years | hybrid in-person & online | Evening classes (4:30–8:25 p.m.) | Tuesday (In-person) & Thursday (Online) |
Melody Burton Scholarship for Future Teachers
In addition to their Rollins scholarship, Pathways to Teaching students can apply for the Melody Burton Scholarship, which provides financial assistance for OCPS paraprofessionals or program assistants who are interested in teaching in one of the critical areas that are determined by the school district each year.
Your Perfect Path to a Classroom of Your Own
The Pathways to Teaching program offers paraprofessionals, program assistants, and other OCPS employees a custom-made track tailored to fit your schedule and your needs.
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Built For Busy Lives
Continue your work at OCPS during the day thanks to evening classes that blend the best of in-person and online learning.
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A Top-Ranked Education
You’ll benefit from Rollins’ signature personalized learning environment, rigorous coursework, and expert faculty who prioritize your professional growth and model the skills you need to make an impact in the classroom.
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Community Commitment
Rollins’ unique small cohort model places you within a diverse community of learners devoted to furthering their education and taking their work as educators to the next level.
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Essential Experience
Continue to earn income during the required internship component of the course, which provides a semester of hands-on teaching experience.
“I didn’t want to earn my education degree from just any college. I wanted substance, personal attention, and value, and I knew I’d get that at Rollins, where the faculty are so strong and there’s such a sense of community. The program exceeded my expectations and then some.”
Admission Requirements
- Hold an associate’s degree or have completed 60 credit hours of undergraduate study
- Must be employed as an OCPS paraprofessional or program assistant at a Title I school to receive program benefits
- A 2.5 GPA in previous undergraduate coursework guarantees admission but is not required.
Upcoming Information Sessions
Register for an information session to learn more about the program, meet with admission counselors, and get a head-start on your application.
Reserve Your SpotStreamlined Admission
We’re clearing the path to a degree and a classroom of your own. We've waived the application fee and standardized tests requirements, and you’re guaranteed admission with a 2.5 GPA.
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Apply to Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
Start an application and take the first step towards a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
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Apply to Master of Arts in Teaching
Start an application and master the art of teaching at Rollins.
