Future Teacher Program recruits Wake County high school seniors to become teachers for the school system

Some Wake County high school seniors will have teaching jobs lined up for them as soon as they get out of college.

They're part of Wake County Public School System's Future Teachers Program. Sign-ups for this year's high school seniors are underway.

Kellie Grainer has taught at Apex Elementary School for three years.

"It's so fun to just build your little family in a whole year in a classroom and for them to come back in the next year and give you hugs in the morning," said Grainer.

Grainer said she grew up longing to be a teacher. When she was in high school, Grainer said her mom found something on Facebook about the Future Teachers Program, which involved submitting a resume and going in for an interview.

"I still remember that interview to this day," said Grainer. "I was so nervous going in, but once I got in, I felt right at home."

After four years at Appalachian State University, she already had a job waiting for her at WCPSS.

"We try to capitalize on our internal talent with graduating high school seniors who are interested in not only becoming teachers but also committed to teaching within the Wake County school system," said Sherri Morris, the talent and retention administrator for WCPSS.

The Future Teachers Program began in 2015 to address worries about teacher shortages. So far, it has enrolled 142 applicants — 38 are now teaching in Wake County classrooms.

"There's something special about working and contributing in a really meaningful way to the community that raised you," said Grainer.

WCPSS pays the future teachers $3,000 to attend a week of training each year they're in college. Once they graduate, they're offered three-year teacher contracts.

"I think we're cultivating a strong community within this program," said Apex Elementary Principal Katie Caggia. "I, myself, was a student at Apex Elementary, and I wish this program had existed for me."

WCPSS will host a virtual information session about the program on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. Sign-ups for the program will continue until April 15.

"If you're passionate about being a teacher, it just lets you kind of get into the world of teaching early on," said Grainer.