1. CENTER FOR EDUCATOR RECRUITMENT, RETENTION, & ADVANCEMENT
GROWING TEACHERS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA

2. ABOUT CERRA Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, & Advancement
Located on the campus of Winthrop University
Founded in 1985, CERRA is the oldest and most established teacher recruitment program in the country
Funded by the SC General Assembly through the Commission on Higher Education (CHE)
Governed by a Board of Directors
Serves all SC school districts and all institutions of higher education with teacher education programs
In 1985 A group of 21 SC institutions of Higher Education, known as the SC Educator Recruitment Task Force, submitted a proposal to the SC CHE.
In 1985 CERRA was developed from Education Improvement Act funds through the SC Commission on Higher Education.
Winthrop University, where we are housed today, served as the fiscal agent.
Interesting fact about the timing of the grant. In 1985 there was not the teacher shortage that there is today. The Governor of SC at the time was Richard Riley (79-87), who would go on to be the US Secretary of Education ( ). He was aware of the trend technology was playing in the economy, and predicted that would take jobs away from the teaching profession. He was aware that there would be a need for qualified teachers in the near future.

3. CERRA’S VISION
Teaching is a respected, influential profession, and every student in South Carolina is served by effective educators.

4. CERRA’S MISSION Recruiting, Retaining, and Advancing
South Carolina Educators​

5. CERRA’S GOALS
Recruitment: Teacher supply needs of SC public school districts are met. Retention: Every SC public school district implements a quality induction program, and teachers continue teaching in a SC public school classroom for at least five years. Advancement: Every teacher has multiple opportunities to develop as a teacher leader and be utilized as such.

6. CERRA’S CONTINUUM

7. CERRA’s Pre-Collegiate Programs
CERRA’S CONTINUUM
CERRA’s Pre-Collegiate Programs

8. CERRA’s Collegiate Program
CERRA’S CONTINUUM
CERRA’s Collegiate Program

9. CERRA’s Service Programs
CERRA’S CONTINUUM
CERRA’s Service Programs

10. ProTeam - A middle school teacher recruitment program
CERRA’S CONTINUUM
ProTeam - A middle school teacher recruitment program

11. Middle school recruitment program for 7th and 8th graders
Aims to expand the pool of minority and male teachers
Curriculum focus on character education, leadership development, an exploration of teaching, and a professional future
Standards align with SREB’s Making Middle Grades Work framework
Encourages students to attend college and consider education as a viable career option
Program Director
Marcella Wine-Snyder

12. CERRA’S CONTINUUM
Teacher Cadets - The national model for pre-collegiate teacher recruitment

13. High school recruitment program for juniors and seniors
Dual credit accrual course with AP weighting
Encourages academically talented, high-achieving students with exemplary interpersonal and leadership skills to consider teaching as a career
An important secondary goal is to provide these future community leaders with insights about teaching and schools so that they will become civic advocates of education
“Hands-on” field experiences in SC classrooms
Program Director
Marcella Wine-Snyder

14. CERRA’S CONTINUUM
College Partners - A network of teacher preparation institutions that provide support and resources for Teacher Cadet sites

15. Partner with each Teacher Cadet site in SC
Network of college faculty who serve as Coordinators of the program on their school’s campus
Provide support and resources to Teacher Cadets and Teacher Cadet instructors
Issue college credit to students who complete the Teacher Cadet Program
Program Director
Marcella Wine-Snyder

16. Teaching Fellows - A collegiate teacher recruitment program
CERRA’S CONTINUUM
Teaching Fellows - A collegiate teacher recruitment program

17. Funded through the SC General Assembly
Designed to recruit talented high school seniors in SC into the teaching profession
Funded through the SC General Assembly
Rigorous selection process that includes online application, interview, presentation, and writing sample
Fellows must attend one of eleven Teaching Fellows Institutions in SC
Fellows work within a cohort model
71.2% of all Fellows graduates are currently employed in 72 SC public school districts
Program Director
Jenna Hallman

18. CERRA’S CONTINUUM
Mentoring & Induction - Supporting the development of beginning teachers

19. South Carolina Mentor Training Trainer Certification
CERRA provides training to experienced teachers so they may become effective mentors to beginning teachers
CERRA also provides training for mentors to become mentor trainers and for administrators to become effective supporters of mentors and first year teachers.
Effective mentoring contributes to a beginning teacher’s development and their retention in the profession
South Carolina Mentor Training
Trainer Certification
Administrator’s Role in Induction and Mentoring
Program Director
Jenna Hallman

20. Teacher Leadership - Advancing the teaching profession
CERRA’S CONTINUUM
Teacher Leadership - Advancing the teaching profession

21. Develops leadership among this group
SC Teacher Forum gives recognition to the state and district teachers of the year.
Develops leadership among this group
Provides teachers a voice in the education policy decision-making process
Impacts the professional development of participating teachers
Program Director
Jenna Hallman

22. CERRA’S SERVICES Financial Aid Information
Online Educator Employment System
Rural Recruitment Initiative
Teacher Expo
Career Fairs
National Board Support
CERRA Research

23. FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
CERRA publishes and distributes the College Financial Newsletter and Financially Speaking Brochure to high schools and colleges for anyone interested in becoming a teacher.
CERRA also posts information on our website to assist high school graduates, college students, and other career changers in finding a route to become a teacher.
CERRA also posts information on our website about loan forgiveness programs for teachers.
CERRA coordinates an Advisory Committee to the South Carolina Teacher Loan Program, a forgivable loan program for traditional and non-traditional teacher education students.
Visit for more information.

24. EDUCATOR EMPLOYMENT SYSTEM
A new system was launched in July 2018
Public school districts can post vacancies and search for applicants in one system
Applicants can set up profiles, create applications, and apply to specific jobs posted by districts
The new system combines the Online Application and Job Bank making it easier and more efficient for job seekers and districts to connect
Visit cerra.org/educator-employment-system.html for more information.

25. RURAL RECRUITMENT INITIATIVE
CERRA was charged with the responsibility to develop and administer an incentive program to recruit and retain classroom teachers in rural and underserved districts that have experienced excessive turnover of teachers.
For FY20, districts eligible to participate are defined as those experiencing greater than eleven percent average annual teacher turnover, as reported on the district’s five most recent State Report Cards and who are not one of the fifteen wealthiest districts, based on the index of taxpaying ability.
Incentives include financial assistance for current employees seeking to become certified, salary supplements for critical needs teachers, and salary supplements and professional development for beginning teacher mentors.
For more information, contact Jane Turner at

26. TEACHER EXPO
CERRA hosts a live teacher job fair for South Carolina’s public school districts, known as the Teacher Expo
The Expo gives candidates an opportunity to meet with districts regarding vacancies.
District recruiters may schedule and conduct interviews while at the Expo.
CERRA also has begun offering districts access to an online Virtual Teacher Expo.
For more information, contact Todd Scholl at

27. CAREER FAIRS
South Carolina public school districts and special schools post their career fairs on CERRA’s website.
CERRA publicizes these career fairs through our social media channels.
CERRA also compiles and posts information about college-sponsored career fairs in South Carolina and across the United States.
Visit for more information.

28. NATIONAL BOARD SUPPORT
CERRA Serves as the liaison between the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and the public school districts.
CERRA provides support to candidates seeking National Board Certification.
CERRA also compiles and reports National Board Certification data.
For more information, contact Jenna Hallman at

29. CERRA RESEARCH
CERRA conducts consistent evaluation and modification of CERRA’s programs and services.
CERRA disseminates reports related to program effectiveness, recruitment and retention issues, and other relevant education research.
CERRA publishes South Carolina’s Annual Educator Supply and Demand Survey
Up-to-date data are provided on CERRA’s website and by request.
For more information, contact Dr. Jennifer Garrett at

30. QUESTIONS?
Learn more at:
cerra.org and
teachercadets.com
@cerrasc