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Training to Teach
by Suzanne Jackson   Hickory Daily Record   August 22, 2004

When Sharon Warren was 6, she told her mother she would grow up to be a teacher for the visually impaired.

At the time, Warren was in the hospital for Uveitis, an inflammation of the eyes, usually diagnosed in the elderly.

The Indiana resident, now 46, always held on to her dream. When she lost her sight permanently in 1980, her goal of becoming a teacher was the one thing that came into view.

“I had no encouragement when I was younger, so becoming a teacher to those who are blind and to be able to encourage them is what I’ve always wanted to do,” Warren said.

Marriage moved Warren to North Carolina in 2002. She began attending classes at Catawba Valley Community College.

With only two more semesters to go, Warren is excited about the prospect of becoming a teacher. She wants to teach at the elementary school level.

“I home-schooled both my children, now 23 and 18, so I want to get students while they are young and impressionable,” she said.

Warren says she wants to teach children that if she could do it, so can they.

“I want them to know that they don’t have to sit at home and rely on government help. You can do it, if you are encouraged,” she said.

Warren is one of more than 27 students who are a part of the CVCC Homegrown Teachers Program.

The program started last year for students from Alexander County. This is the first year for Catawba County students.

Homegrown Teachers is a financial support program, which addresses the shortage of teachers in Alexander and Catawba counties. All students receive financial support to help them return to school without having to leave their homes and families.

Tony Christie, 48, has been working with children in Catawba County for 10 years. Originally a custodian, he saw that he had a gift with children.

“Children need someone they can have hope and confidence in. Someone they can come to, to help them understand their mistakes,” Christie said.

Christie is beginning his first year with the Homegrown Teachers Program.

He’s looking forward to working the exceptional children.

“They need someone they can depend on and have faith in,” he said.

Patrick Elder, 18, just graduated from Alexander Central High School. He sees the benefit of working with students because it hasn’t been long since he was in a high school classroom.

“I had a teacher that applied Macbeth to everyday life. When you make information interesting, it makes students want to learn,” he said.

Details
An orientation for students in the Homegrown Teachers Program took place Saturday. All students were given information about their funding and expectations.
Those who graduate from the program sign contracts stating they will teach in their county’s school system for four to seven years. If no positions are available, they have the option of seeking employment in another county’s school system.
This year, grants were given from the Unifour Foundation Inc., the CVCC foundation, and donations from all the school systems in Catawba and Alexander counties.
 

 

 
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