GATE Teacher Residency Program Completers

Posted: Monday, June 1, 2020

Nine individuals have completed the Greenville Alternative Teacher Education (GATE) program. GATE is a three year, district-embedded licensure pathway into the teaching profession for people with bachelor’s degrees with a major or emphasis in science, math, French, and Spanish, but no formal education training.

GATE teachers begin preparation during the summer and begin teaching on the first day of the school year. Their learning and growth is supported by professional development that continues over the course of the school year. Guided by a curriculum framework aligned to GCS Performance Standards and focused on student learning and current pedagogical research, GATE teachers learn how to become thoughtful, engaged educators. GATE teachers also receive on-site coaching and mentoring from district teachers throughout the three-year program. Upon completion of their residency, GATE teachers are fully certified South Carolina teachers.

GATE is supported by a collaborative partnership between Greenville County Schools, the South Carolina Department of Education, Public Education Partners (PEP), the GATE Program Advisory Council, which is representative of GCS, the community, local businesses and institutions of higher education. PEP has supported GATE by raising funds from local businesses and foundations to offset costs GATE teachers would otherwise incur, recruiting a high quality applicant pool and providing ongoing feedback to programmatic and curricular developments.

2020 GATE Completers

Jacob Bartell, 9th Grade Science, Woodmont High School

“GATE has taught me how to become the most effective teacher I can be and has given me the tools to be able to grow and develop as a professional." – Jacob Bartell

Jonathan Davis, 10th Grade Math, Carolina High and Academy

"GATE has taught me that teaching truly is a calling, and it has helped me reach potential I didn't think I could before." – Jonathan Davis

Heather Felise, High School Science, Eastside High School

"GATE provided me with the unique opportunity to transition my passion for teaching from higher education to the high school classroom. It allowed me to obtain my certification for secondary education, while being immersed in a high school classroom. By providing a tailored mentoring team to monitor my progress in combination with manageable coursework, GATE taught me valuable skills and pedagogies for meeting the educational needs of a diverse array of students." – Heather Felise

Rachel Fountain, 6th Grade Math, Northwest Middle School

"GATE has taught me to be a thriving teacher by emphasizing building relationships, collaborating and communicating with teachers across the district, and to learn by doing. GATE provided me the opportunity to have my own classroom to start my career and passion." – Rachel Fountain

Kristi Harris, 8th Grade Science, Northwood Middle School

"GATE has taught me so much about how much fun it is to still learn! Being a teacher does not mean you are not the student sometimes, too. The GATE program has shown me through demonstration and example how excellent planning and strategy can build a person's knowledge, ability, and confidence. This is what I work to pass on to my students in each science class!" – Kristi Harris

Jeffrey Nye, 9th Grade Science, Greer High School

"GATE has taught me to the importance of student-teacher interactions to help them succeed. Having a repertoire with students really helps motivate students to be successful both inside and outside of school." – Jeffrey Nye

Alecia Robinson, 9th Grade Math, Blue Ridge High School

"GATE has taught me the importance of collaboration, relationships, innovation, and life-long learning as an educator." – Alecia Robinson

Reagan Thiess, 7th Grade Science, Hughes Academy of Science and Technology

"GATE has taught me what it is like to go to work every day with a passion in my heart. I have learned the importance of building relationships, collaborating with peers and students, not taking myself too seriously and that what I do every day in the classroom makes a difference in at least one student's life." – Reagan Thiess

Emily Tyler, 6th Grade Science, Woodmont Middle School

"GATE has taught me how to bring my science background to the classroom by providing constant support and connecting me with experienced educators." – Emily Tyler

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