By Angelita Faller

The National Association for Alternative Certification (NAAC) Conference Scholarship Committee has selected Van A. Phillips, Jr. for an honorable mention for his outstanding achievements as a new teacher. The selection committee received an exemplary group of nominations in which Phillips was a standout nominee. As an honorable mention awardee, he will represent GSU at the association’s annual conference held March 18-21, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois.  Phillips will be recognized during the awards luncheon on Friday March 20, 2015 and will participate in the intern strand throughout the conference, connecting with interns and new teachers from all across the United States.

Phillips is a native of Irondale, Alabama, and a former standout wide receiver for the G-Men.  Prior to applying to the Alternative Teacher Certification Project, he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice.  During this time, his vocational experience ranged from volunteering at Head Start to working as a paraprofessional and assistant basketball coach in a public school. Those experiences cemented his decision to become a teacher. While completing his first graduate program, he was assigned as a graduate assistant in The Alternative Teacher Certification Project. Here, he became familiar with the requirements, structure and benefits of the program.  Upon graduation, he enrolled in the program.  This allowed him to pursue his teacher certification while teaching full time. Phillips says that one of the best decisions he ever made was to enter the noble profession of teaching. He is currently a fifth grade English/ Language Arts teacher at Crawford Elementary School in Bienville Parish.

If you would like to become a teacher candidate eligible to teach for the fall 2015, please give our recruiter a call at 318-274-2236.

Inspire.. Invest.. Influence.. Teach

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