Lake County Gazette

As the demand for educators increases, now is a great time to pursue a degree in the field.

Start your journey at College of Lake County (CLC) and earn a transfer degree in elementary or secondary education.

“Last year, more than 2,000 Illinois public school teaching positions remained unfilled,” said CLC Education Professor and Department Chair Dr. Michelle Proctor. “Eighty-eight percent of the districts surveyed by the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools reported a shortage of qualified teachers in 2021.”

Elementary education degrees qualify someone to teach grades 1-6, and secondary education, grades 6-12. Most education students who come to CLC aren’t yet sure of which level they want to teach. However, the classes taken at CLC are identical for both programs.

After transferring, secondary education majors pick a focus, whereas elementary education majors become versed in multiple topics.

CLC helps make transferring easy with more than 30 Guaranteed Transfer Admission partners across the country.

Prior to enrolling at CLC, Josue Velazquez worked installing granite countertops and at a cell phone store before getting a job in HVAC. The hours, however, were long, and Velazquez missed spending time with his family.

He decided it was time for a career reboot. He made a life-changing decision to become the first in his family to go to college. CLC’s affordable tuition and flexible programming put his dream within reach.

“My professors saw more potential in me than I saw in myself,” Velazquez said. “I developed a passion for teaching at CLC and everyone, from my professors to my academic advisors, helped spark that passion.”

After earning his associate degree and transferring to Elmhurst College to complete a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health, Velazquez is now working in the Round Lake school district.

If you’re interested in applying to CLC, visit clcillinois.edu/admission/become-a-student.

_{Source: https://www.clcillinois.edu/aboutclc/news/2022/06/28/begin-your-education-degree-at-clc}