iEducate, Lone Star College System partner to train future teachers with paid, real-world experience

HOUSTON, TX -- Students interested in education and future teaching careers now have access to additional career training and employment opportunities, thanks to a partnership between Lone Star College System and iEducate.

iEducate has posted paid tutoring jobs through the college system’s career portal, Handshake, specifically for LSCS students pursuing an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT). This structured, coached instructional practice is designed to improve program completion rates, workforce readiness, teacher effectiveness and long-term teacher retention.

“These opportunities allow students to earn income while gaining practical experience working with students and developing instructional, communication and professional skills,” said Chantell Link, Ph.D., LSCS chief, Industry Partnerships & Career Advancement. “Our goal with this partnership is to strengthen the bridge between coursework and career by providing students with meaningful, hands-on experiences that prepare them for the workforce.”

iEducate will employ up to 20 AAT students in the first year of the program, 50 in the second year and as many as 100 students in the third year, depending on funding and demand. Selected students must be in good academic standing and will be placed in partner school districts to log at least 600 hours of direct instructional practice per academic year.

“College students are already likely to work while they’re enrolled, and we’re excited to partner with Lone Star College System to make that work experience meaningful for future educators,” said Arun Gir, iEducate CEO. “With iEducate, tutors apply what they’re learning in the classroom, build the skills and experience that prepare them for the next stage of their education or career, and help elementary students grow academically. It’s a powerful way to make an impact in the classroom today while helping prepare the educators our schools will need tomorrow.”

This program will give LSCS students an opportunity to earn additional income while gaining hands-on experience in real-world settings and building their professional networks. But the long-term objective is to increase educator persistence and retention by ensuring candidates are ready to lead in their classrooms by the time they are certified to teach.

The AAT program is offered at all eight main LSCS campuses and four centers. Course instruction aligns with state teaching standards, and credits earned can transfer to any public college or university in Texas.

Prospective educators can also earn a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and Teaching at LSCS, and those who already have bachelor’s degrees can become certified to teach through the Alternative Teacher Certification Program. Learn more at LoneStar.edu/Programs-Of-Study.