Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Homepage

Program overview

Rise to Teach is a partnership initiative between PCC, Portland State University (PSU), Portland Public Schools (PPS), and Beaverton School District (BSD). The program offers a guided, tuition-supported college pathway to a career as a licensed K-12 teacher with the goal of expanding access to the teaching profession for individuals such as first-generation college students.

Building on the successful foundations of the Portland Teachers Program that began in 1989, Rise to Teach is committed to the development of culturally-responsive teachers who will start their careers in Portland and Beaverton public schools.

The program offers full-time students committed to a teaching career a tuition-free path to a bachelor’s degree, starting at PCC and finishing at PSU. Students could complete either PSU’s elementary education, SPED, or bilingual teacher bachelor’s degree programs leading to a teaching license. If they are interested in teaching at the middle or high school level, they can apply to PSU’s Graduate Teacher Education Program with Rise to Teach offering 50% tuition assistance for the completion of a master’s degree. After successfully completing their degree, students commit to applying for a teaching position at either PPS or BSD. Scholarships are annually renewable, based on students meeting program requirements and available funding.

What does it mean to be a part of the Rise to Teach program?

Beyond tuition scholarships, the program includes:

• Additional advising and academic support resources.
• Participation in a collaborative learning community and part of a supportive peer network. Students attend orientations, regularly scheduled workshops, and other program events.
• ɳ°ÍÌåÓý¹ÙÍøment of professional skills and access to mentoring from experienced educators while a student.
• ɳ°ÍÌåÓý¹ÙÍø development and opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of your own and others¡¯ culture and identities, and anti-bias practices.
• Additional support in preparation for the job search process from PPS and BSD.

Program eligibility

Note: This program is for students who do not have a bachelor’s degree yet. These are some of the eligibility requirements, please contact the Program Coordinator for more details and full program requirements.

• Student is a resident of Oregon and a U.S. citizen, has permanent resident status, or is a DACA recipient.
• Be enrolled or able to enroll as a full-time PCC student (students accepted in the program will need to be able to take a full-time student course load/minimum of 12 credits per term).
• Be a high school graduate or have a GED?.
• Have a minimum 2.5 overall GPA at the time of application. This will be the most current cumulative GPA if you have taken college courses; or your high school GPA if you have not attended college.
• Have some volunteer or paid experience working with children/teens, engaging with them in learning activities.
• Demonstrate a commitment to cross-cultural learning, and be an advocate for public education.

Starting the program as a PCC student: If students already have college credits, they are eligible to join the program if they have at least 30 more credits at PCC when starting Rise to Teach before transferring to PSU.