Overview

The primary goal of the Teacher Cadet Program is to encourage academically talented, high-achieving, high school students with exemplary interpersonal and leadership skills to consider teaching as a career. An important secondary goal of the Program is to develop future community leaders who will become civic advocates for public education.

The Teacher Cadet Program uses an innovative approach designed to attract talented young people to the teaching profession through a challenging introduction to teaching. The Program seeks to provide high school students with insight into the nature of teaching, the problems of schooling, and the critical issues affecting the quality of education in America's schools.
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Piloted in four South Carolina high schools in 1985-86, the Teacher Cadet Program has grown to include 188 South Carolina high schools with 233 classes serving 2,991 juniors and seniors annually. More than 71,000 students have participated in the Teacher Cadet Program in its 34-year history. The dual credit accrual course is taught for a minimum of one class period per day for a year or the equivalent of that amount of time in contact hours. The Teacher Cadet Program is not a club.

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​The Teacher Cadet Program gave me a hands on and real-world experience within the classroom. It gave me the opportunity to preview my future major. The Teacher Cadet program helped to shape my career.

2006-2007 Teacher Cadet - Lakewood High School
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Stephanie L. Harper

Kindergarten Teacher

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Oakland Primary School - Sumter

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The Teacher Cadet Program confirmed for me what I knew from a young age—that I would become an educator. Being a student in both the middle school and high school Teacher Cadet Programs allowed me to receive hands-on experience, learning, and knowledge about teaching, which helped to shape the future vision I had for myself.  This program opened my mind to many possibilities for colleges and education programs, which paved the way for me to become a SC Teaching Fellow.

2005-2006 Teacher Cadet - Lakewood High School​

Tyesha Deas

Math Teacher

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Lower Richland High School - Richland One 

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​I knew I wanted to be a teacher before Teacher Cadets. After Teacher Cadets, I knew I wanted to be a cheerleader, an instructor, a facilitator. Teacher Cadets put me on a path to fulfill my dream. 

2006-2007 Teacher Cadet - Travelers Rest High School​

Jessica L. Coggins

Music Teacher

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Summit Drive Elementary - Greenville

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I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. When I was in Teacher Cadets, we were able to experience all of the different aspects of being a teacher. We got to journey into the minds of being a young child and play with toys to experience what it was like to be the mediator in high school debates. Teacher Cadets enabled me to open my imagination to all of the positive things of being a teacher. Being a teacher is such a rewarding job and getting to make a difference in a young person's life is the most gratifying feeling there is. I love everything about being a teacher and Teacher Cadets helped me finalize my decision on becoming what I was meant to be for the rest of my life.

2008 Teacher Cadet - North Myrtle Beach High School​

Kelsey Rowles

Physical Education

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North Myrtle Beach High School - Horry County

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​Teacher Cadet facilitated my love for teaching and learning through hands-on experience.  It gave me reassurance in my calling to the profession. 

2009 Teacher Cadet​ - Aiken High School

Meagan Kinard

7th and 8th grade Math Teacher 

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LBC Middle School - Aiken

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I grew up in a family of teachers, so it's no surprise I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. The Teacher Cadet Program really helped me focus in on that dream and discover myself. I loved being able to visit classrooms and teach lessons during my time as a Teacher Cadet. This allowed me to experience what teaching was like and confirmed my personal goals of being an elementary teacher some day. I enjoyed how I was able to collaborate and learn with other future teachers during this program. The Teacher Cadet Program opened many doors for me. 

2010-2011 Teacher Cadet - Landrum High School

Ashley Pack

2nd Grade Teacher

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Holly Springs Motlow Elementary School - Spartanburg One

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The Teacher Cadet Program is what made me want to become a teacher. This program taught me that all educators have an important job. What you teach a child is what the child will become and that is why we, as educators, are so important. 

2009-2010 Teacher Cadet - W.J. Keenan High School

Whitney Primus

First Grade Teacher

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H.B. Rhame Elementary School - Richland One

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The Teacher Cadet program gave me a look into education and helped me feel confident in my choice to become a teacher. Our Teacher Cadet instructor guided us through the curriculum and provided a model of the kind of teacher we wanted to become. I have such wonderful memories of the Teacher Cadet program and would highly recommend it to any student interested in becoming an education advocate.  I have been blessed to work with a few Teacher Cadets in my own classroom.  I love this program and the things it is doing to grow future teachers in our state.
 
2000-2001 Teacher Cadet - Easley High School

Leslie Pearson

First Grade Teacher

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Forest Acres Elementary - Pickens

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The Teacher Cadet Program helped me understand the value of pouring into the next generation of kids. It was the first time I truly felt I had someone to help guide me in the direction that I wanted to go. 

2007-2008 Teacher Cadet - Travelers Rest High School

Brenna Wilkie

Fifth Grade Teacher

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Powdersville Elementary School - Anderson One

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