We recognize that educator support and training is vital to the work we do. College Access Partnerships offers access to high quality professional development opportunities so every teacher, counselor, or administrator is best equipped to serve our students and families.
This program is a teacher-directed professional learning program designed to add flexibility to recertification and state licensure renewals for western North Carolina educators.
At the heart of this partnership between NC Schools, App State, NCDPI and Digital Promise, is the idea that when teachers are given choice and support in their professional learning, it can lead to benefits for teachers, students, and communities.
Appalachian GEAR UP strives to promote and improve access to higher education in 10 partnering districts around Western North Carolina and leverages strategic partnerships to increase postsecondary enrollment. Appalachian GEAR UP provides college-going programming to students and families, academic support in schools, professional development for teachers and administrators, and more in order to improve college access in rural Western North Carolina.