Five education leaders smile during a partnership signing ceremony. Two men seated at a table sign documents while three colleagues — two women and one man — stand behind them, smiling. The group is dressed in business attire, posed in front of a wall with orange panels.

The following press release was issued by Dalton State College regarding its expanded partnership with Dalton Public Schools. It is shared here in its entirety for informational purposes.

DALTON, GA - Dalton State College and Dalton Public Schools have expanded their longtime collaboration through a new agreement designed to strengthen the region’s teacher pipeline and enhance workforce development across northwest Georgia.

The partnership guarantees Dalton State education majors from Dalton with student teaching placements within Dalton Public Schools, offering a more direct pathway from college preparation to real-world classroom experience.

ā€œThis is about building a strong foundation for our students’ careers and strengthening the quality of education across our region,ā€ John Fuchko, president of Dalton State College, said. ā€œBy partnering with our local school systems, we’re ensuring that future teachers gain the skills, experience and professional support required to enter the classroom ready to lead from day one.ā€

Under the agreement, the district will guarantee an interview to all qualified graduates of Dalton State’s School of Education. The streamlined process provides future teachers with clear, supportive steps into the profession.

ā€œOur partnership with Dalton State College is an important investment in the future of Dalton Public Schools and our community. By intentionally developing and supporting future educators, we are strengthening our workforce and ensuring our students continue to learn from highly qualified, well-prepared teachers,ā€ Steven Craft, superintendent of Dalton Public Schools, said.

This marks the sixth partnership Dalton State has established with area school systems this year. Agreements were signed last year with Murray County Schools, Catoosa County Public Schools, Whitfield County Schools, Dade County Schools and Walker County Schools, all part of a strategic initiative to retain aspiring educators in the region.

Earlier this month, Dalton Public Schools also approved the charter for the Learning Academy of Northwest Georgia, a new public school of choice that will collaborate with Dalton State for education workforce readiness. Through this partnership, Dalton State education majors will gain additional hands-on experience with PK-12 students, further strengthening their instructional skills and expanding workforce development opportunities across the region.

To learn more about the Dalton State College School of Education, visit www.daltonstate.edu.
For more information about Dalton Public Schools, visit www.daltonpublicschools.com.

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Source: Dalton State College
Originally released by the Dalton State College
Office of Marketing, Communications, and Workforce Development