CarolinaCAP opened a door to elementary education (2024)

Brad Washington was able to achieve career goals when CarolinaCAP gave him the tools to become a certified educator.

Brad Washington began giving back to students as a lacrosse coach at his former school. The work was fun, but the stipend was not enough to build a career. He landed at the Boys and Girls Club, where he worked for more than two years.

“That work helped me truly discover my passion for kids,” says Washington. “I was able to create structures for students and give them tools to succeed.”

Washington later became a behavioral interventionist at an elementary school while continuing work with the Boys and Girls Club. He knew he wanted to become an educator, but he did not have the teaching degree needed to make the transition to the classroom. He did not let that dim his passion and created a program for students to expand their social education called The Greenprint. This program helped students manage emotions and craft social skills that contributed to a better learning environment for everyone in the classroom.

“When students know how to self-regulate, we could spend more time on learning the concepts,” says Washington. “It really helps with classroom management because it empowers students to help each other in staying on task. Learning culture is built from positive classroom culture. When students come together, they can work together to move the whole class forward.”

When the pandemic began, he learned about a new program called the Carolina Collaborative for Alternative Preparation (CarolinaCAP). This program assists professionals in career changes that lead to educator certification.

“It was like the gates of heaven opened for me,” says Washington. “Elementary Education was not typically provided in other certification pathways. I immediately applied.”

While the program was considered an answered prayer, Washington’s assigned location would require driving almost an hour each way to Newberry County. Washington would have driven anywhere for a chance to teach and to continue positively impacting children.

Washington shares that his work as a behavioral interventionist gave him a great foundation for leading a classroom, but the learning curve was steeper in building his teaching skills.

“My first year had a lot of growing pains,” says Washington. “My CarolinaCAP coach really took me under her wing. She was tough, but she made me a better teacher. We had mentors in house at the school — they were like Swiss army knives and able to handle anything.”

Washington sings the praises of retired faculty member Beth White. She shared the importance of always observing students in your class to track their understanding and progress. This practice, termed ‘kid-watching,’ is developed by taking notes about your students and reflecting on their participation. These ideas help educators know that what works one day, might not work the next and directly contribute to educator growth in their own practices.

“I don’t know where I would be without Professor White,” says Washington. “She makes us think, and she’s full of insights.”

Washington has one more year to complete as a candidate, but he’s already taking on leadership roles in the program. He’s one of two CarolinaCAP Ambassadors.

“It’s an honor to represent the University of South Carolina and this amazing program,” says Washington. “I believe if you become an educator for the right reasons, opportunities are going to find you. CarolinaCAP provides an opportunity for those who realize education is their passion after they’ve already begun a career or earned a degree in a different area. If someone is passionate about making an impact, this gives them an opportunity to be a part of students’ lives.”

Washington is already making his name as an educator. With some of the highest math fluency scores in his district, he is passionate about helping students relate to a sometimes-complex subject.

“I try to get them excited about math,” says Washington. “It’s more than a subject, it’s a life skill. I let them know if they get it right, they are mastering the subject, but if they get it wrong, they are learning to master mathematics. Two plus two is always four, but it is important to get them to enjoy the process and know they can get it right on the next try.”

Washington says that getting students out of the mindset of boom or bust is the best part of being an educator. That love of creating something special for children is what makes Washington an exceptional educator.