Tambra Watson, of Ruby, began her college education at Northeastern Technical College by earning an Associate in Arts degree before transferring to Coker College. Watson is a fourth-grade teacher at Edwards Elementary School.

November 16, 2011
Teacher Begins Her Education at NETC

Tambra Watson, of Ruby, does not sit down much at her job as a fourth-grade teacher at Edwards Elementary School in Chesterfield, but she doesn’t mind. Being a teacher is a rewarding job for someone like Watson who wants to have a positive impact on children’s lives.

Becoming a teacher was Watson’s goal when she decided to go back to school in 1998 and pick up where she’d left off about four years earlier when she had earned an Associate of Business degree at Northeastern Technical College (known as Chesterfield-Marlboro Technical College at the time). She put her education on pause to raise a family with her husband, Randal, and to take a job with the Chesterfield County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs.

Because NETC offered evening classes that did not conflict with her day job, Watson was able to complete an Associate of Arts degree and transfer to Coker College, where she earned a four-year degree in education.

“Northeastern Technical College was conveniently located close to home and affordable,” Watson said. “The small classes did not make you feel lost in a sea of students, and the instructors were very willing to give you one-on-one time.”

Watson has been a fourth-grade teacher for 10 years, providing lessons in all subjects from language arts to mathematics to social studies and science.

“I talk to my students about Northeastern Technical College because it is important they learn early about the college opportunities they have close to home,” Watson said.

Watson and her husband are both alumni of NETC, and Randal is an instructor in the College’s Machine Tool Technology Department.

“If you’re unsure of your career or educational plans, Northeastern Technical College is a good place to start,” Watson said. “Earning a two-year degree can be the first step toward a four-year degree or valuable job skills for employment.”

To learn more about the 20-plus associate degrees programs and 30 career-oriented certificates and diplomas at NETC, visit the College’s website at www.netc.edu and click on “Pathways.”

“NETC was my pathway to a rewarding job where every day I make a positive impact on children’s lives,” Watson said.

Start your pathway to a future this spring semester at NETC. Admission applications may be picked up and submitted at the main campus in Cheraw, or at one of the community campuses in Bennettsville, Pageland or Dillon. Students who wish to submit applications in person should do so at the campus where they intend to take classes. 

An NETC admission application may also be filled out and submitted online by visiting www.netc.edu, clicking on “Admissions” and then clicking on “Apply Online” in the box on the right side of the page.

Application deadline for the spring semester is Friday, December 9. Open Registration is Wednesday, January 11, and classes begin Monday, January 16. For more information, call NETC’s Admissions Office at 843-921-6933.