Chattanooga, Tenn. August 24, 2011 --- Faculty and administrators representing the Tennessee Technological University’s (TTU) 2+2 onsite program in early education hosted an orientation/reception for residents, area school-based partners and administrators. The event took place on the main campus of TTU’s 2+2 partner Chattanooga State Community College.

The purpose of the event was to allow the TTU residents (current students) and their school - based mentors (mentoring teachers) an opportunity to meet and discuss expectations and goals for their upcoming placements. The mentors and residents will collaborate throughout the semester long clinical experience.

According to Dr. Sandra H. Smith, director of TTU office of teacher education,“ TTU 2 + 2 onsite program professors and a secretary, Ready 2 Teach master clinicians, the director of Teacher Education, and I met with the residents and school-based mentors to provide an overview of the performance assessment process and the new structure of the residency year in the TTU program of study.”

Faculty members from Normal Park and Allen Elementary attended the meeting as well as Allen Elementary Principal Earlene Weeks. Administrators from Hamilton County schools and Sequatchie County schools were also in attendance.

The 2+2 partnership between TTU and Chattanooga State presents students with the opportunity to earn both an associate of science in teaching (AST) degree and a baccalaureate degree with a K-6 emphasis in elementary education. Students take classes at the Center for Education and Human Services (CEHS), formerly known as Chattanooga State’s east campus, located at 7158 Lee Highway.

The agreement allows a seamless transition for students interested in pursuing all four years of their elementary education degree at one campus. TTU teaches graduate level courses each semester at the CEHS, too.

For more information about the TTU 2+2 onsite program at the Center for Education and Human Services, contact Mary Ann Decker at (423) 697-3270 or MDecker@tntech.edu.