A letter from Dean Lemuel Watson

Dear Future STEM Educator,

I would like to commend you for considering a career as a STEM teacher. Your decision will have great impact in the lives of not only students, but also within families, communities and our state and nation.

A career in teaching is not to be taken lightly. Being a STEM teacher is powerful. It gives you the opportunity to shape the future. A STEM teacher impacts the world more than you may realize.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million STEM-related jobs will open in the next seven years. Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that we have qualified teachers to educate students in these areas. The University of South Carolina College of Education is your best choice for a high-quality, diverse educational experience that will well position you to meet these future classroom needs.

In South Carolina, the demand for STEM teachers has traditionally outweighed the number of qualified educators. The College of Education is addressing this shortage through a new program called Teach Science and Mathematics. Through this program, we offer scholarships, in-depth classroom experiences, and an NCATE-accredited education that will excite, motivate and inspire you to make a difference.

I know you have many options to choose from when considering where you will pursue your education goals. I thank you for considering the University of South Carolina College of Education, and hope you will join us in our effort to address the needs of our state and nation.

I hope to see you on campus soon.

Sincerely,
Dean Lemuel Watson

College of Education
University of South Carolina