Erin Morrison has a whole lot to celebrate this spring.
The Murray-Massenburg Elementary School instructional assistant graduated with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from North Carolina Central University in May 2025. When she returns to Murray-Massenburg next fall, it will be as a certified teacher of a first- or second-grade class.
What makes it extra special for Morrison is that her son will also graduate – from Hillside High School in June.
“This is a full-circle moment,” said Morrison, who originally attended NCCU for a short time in the 2000s but left to start her family. “We’re graduating a month apart, which is really, really cool.”
Something else that’s “really, really cool?” The pioneering program that helped Morrison achieve her dream of graduating college and becoming a certified classroom teacher.
The Teacher Assistant to Teacher Program (TA2TP) is a teacher recruitment and retention partnership between North Carolina Central University and Durham Public Schools. Celebrating 10 years of service, TA2TP is specifically designed to develop the internal teaching talent of the district’s instructional assistants who intend to pursue careers as licensed teachers. It offers instructional assistants the opportunity to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education and become certified at little to no cost to the participants.·
Morrison is one of three members of the cohort who graduated this spring. Her fellow graduates are Wylet Howard of Spring Valley Elementary School, and Sunny Hiraldo, of Southwest Elementary School.
A ‘Grow Your Own’ Kind of Program
“This program is a ‘grow your own’ kind of program,” said Michelle Hayes, DPS Executive Director for Talent Acquisition and Employment Recognition. “It’s valuable because we can take (instructional assistants) into the program who already know their communities and their schools very well.”
DPS covers the cost of tuition for elementary and middle grades education degrees, along with a graduate program in special education for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree. The district reimburses participants for the cost of their books and the first sitting for the Praxis exam, which is required for teacher certification.
Morrison spent seven years as an instructional assistant at Parkwood Elementary School before moving to Murray-Massenburg when it opened in fall 2024. Before that, she worked as a teacher and later as an administrator for a daycare center.
“I really missed working closely with children,” said Morrison, who decided she was interested in moving into the elementary-age level. A DPS teacher and friend told her of an instructional assistant position opening at Parkwood.
“She said, ‘You should try DPS, you’ll love it,’” said Morrison, who did try it and did love it. She eventually became a long-term substitute teacher at Parkwood. A few years ago she heard about TA2TP.
“This wonderful program came along which pays for everything while you’re still able to be employed, so I was thrilled to be able to be a part of it,” said Morrison, who added that the TA2TP experience had a positive impact on her proud family, as well.
“(My sons) have been my cheerleaders the entire time, as well as my husband,” she said. “They have watched me go through this process and have supported me. It’s been a really good reflection of how hard work and staying with something can pay off, so I’m happy they got to witness that.”
Criteria for TA2TP
Those interested in applying for the program must meet the following criteria:
Minimum of one year as an instructional assistant with DPS
Recommendation from the principal of the school where they work
Minimum of 60 credit hours from an accredited community college/university
Minimum GPA of 2.7 from an accredited community college/university
1-page essay describing why they want to be a teacher
Completion of the program in three years or less, including summer school if necessary
Commitment to work for DPS for a minimum of three years after graduation
Provision of all pertinent transcripts to NCCU when applying.
TA2TP Application Process
Current DPS instructional assistants will soon receive an email announcing the 2026 Teacher Assistant to Teaching Program application process. An “interest meeting” to be held in May will include information about the program, along with a complete list of items that candidates must have in place to meet the application criteria.
A second interest meeting will be held during the fall 2025 semester in advance of the October application deadline. Hayes will assist interested applicants in ensuring that they have all of their materials, their principal’s recommendation, and their essay completed in time to meet the deadline.
Those accepted into the program will begin taking courses at NCCU in January 2026. TA2TP will accept three to five participants for the spring 2026 cohort, contingent upon available funding for tuition and reimbursements.
Hayes stresses that the goal of TA2TP is to offer teaching positions to graduates of the program at the school where they have been working.
“Most of them would have done their student teaching under the teacher they support,” said Hayes. “(Staying at the same school) just helps to build that community.”
Support During the TA2TP Journey and Beyond
TA2TP participants receive a tremendous amount of support, both while they are taking courses at NCCU, and after they have started their classroom teaching positions.
“I have received great support from both NCCU and DPS; they are very quick to respond,” she said. One NCCU professor, Dr. Yolanda Dunston, was particularly encouraging, having a few “heart-to-heart” conversations with Morrison when the going got a little rough.
“It was challenging having a full-time job and a family,” said. “Dr. Dunston gave me encouragement and direction on how to stay focused and keep going.”
That level of support will continue via the DPS Beginning Teacher program, which pairs first-year teachers with mentors and resources for the first three years.
Morrison encourages anyone who is considering this journey to go for it.
“I think it’s a great opportunity. We already know the ins and outs of school buildings,” she said. “To be able to extend your experience to a profession where you can get paid more and have more responsibility – I encourage anyone who gets the chance to definitely take advantage.”