Future Educators is a 12th-grade program; applicants must be 11th graders. Teacher Education and Early Childhood Education are for underclassmen.

• Earn 14 tuition-free credits toward your college degree and teaching certification

• Train with Da Vinci Science Center and Lehigh Valley Zoo educators

• Develop and deliver imaginative, interactive lessons in K-12 classrooms

We’re accepting applications for the 2026-2027 Future Educators program. The deadline is Sunday, March 1, 2026.

Apply now

Future Educators is a seniors-only program for aspiring teachers who want to earn 14 tuition-free credits toward a college degree. Students develop and deliver imaginative, interactive lessons in K-12 classrooms. They also study modern teaching philosophies, build strong presentation skills and learn to use instructional technology.

Made possible by the partnership of LCTI, Lehigh Carbon Community College, and Lehigh County’s nine school districts, this intensive, dual-enrollment program is designed to provide students with an early college experience as they explore careers in education through a combination of hands-on training and field experiences. To be eligible for this distinguished program, students must:

• Reside in a Lehigh County school district
• Be entering their senior year of high school
• Have a grade-point average of 2.5 or better
• Have an excellent attendance record
• Have a written recommendation from their high school guidance counselor or teacher
• Meet academic prerequisites for Lehigh Carbon Community College

Students split their time between immersion in the program curriculum at LCTI, dual-enrollment courses at LCCC and shadowing a variety of educators. They have opportunities to observe and engage in diverse public school classrooms across the Lehigh Valley, as well as in learning spaces like Da Vinci Science Center and Lehigh Valley Zoo. At no cost to them, successful participants complete the program with college credits that are readily transferable to Commonwealth, Kutztown, Millersville and Penn State universities, among others.

Students can also earn their 10-Hour OSHA Certification via CareerSafe®. Obtaining federal and state clearances for working with children is a program requirement.

College Credits

Students in the Future Educators program ease into college expectations with LCCC courses built around high school schedules. We bus students between their sending high schools and LCTI, which is across the street from LCCC and accessible via a 5-minute walk. No additional transportation required.

The tuition-free college courses provided in the program are:

• EDU 101: Foundations of Education – 3 credits
• EDU 120 Educational Technology – 3 credits
• EDU 114: Careers in Education – 1 credit
• EDU 105: Special Education – 3 credits
• CMN 112: Public Speaking – 3 credits
• EDU 115: Field Experience – 1 credit

Career Pathways

with associate degree:

• Child care director
• Preschool teacher
• Teaching assistant

with bachelor’s degree:

• Elementary school teacher
• Middle school teacher
• High school teacher

with master’s degree:

• School counselor
• School principal
• College professor