June 10, 2025 — Great teachers not only teach students, but also empower other teachers to succeed. For several years now, this belief has been at the heart of Alternative Pathways for Educator Certification (APEC)’s work based in South Carolina. Marla Sanders, a dedicated leader of the APEC program, reflects on the journey that led to their recent recognition with the WhatWorks South Carolina award. Their story highlights the profound impact APEC has had on preparing teachers in South Carolina, as well as the resilience required to sustain and grow the program since its inception.
From securing the award to navigating programmatic changes, Sanders shares insights on how APEC’s success is built on evidence-based practices, unwavering dedication, and a deep commitment to transforming the lives of teachers, students, and the broader community. Their passion for empowering educators and advocating for the people who serve in K-12 schools shines through as they discuss how APEC has helped fellows achieve career milestones and financial stability. With their career-driven opportunities for preservice educators to pursue certification, APEC has contributed to the life-changing ability to support their families and communities more effectively.
Q: What inspired you to seek opportunities like this award, and what process did you take to seek out this opportunity in support of APEC?
The APEC Program was created in the summer 2018. Since then we have prepared more than 115 teachers for public schools in S.C. and currently have a 95% teacher retention rate. We applied for the WhatWorks SC award because we have the evidence that shows that teacher residencies make a difference. Our external evaluators have conducted focus group interviews and surveys of our participants. We have used their feedback and the guidance from our NCTR coaches to make positive programmatic changes that have helped us retain students in the program and support them in their beginning years in the classroom. Our results show that the APEC residency prepares new teachers well and equips them with the knowledge and skills they need to positively impact student achievement. The award has reinforced for us what we have known for some time.
Q: How does receiving this award impact your program?
The WhatWorks SC Award provides us with statewide recognition. Columbia College (CC) is a small, liberal arts college that has been preparing teachers for more than 100 years. We have a strong reputation for preparing quality teachers. The award is another testament to the dedication of the CC faculty and staff who believe in the power of public education.
Q: Can you speak to the personal and professional resilience it takes to continue leading the program while navigating programmatic changes, and what drives you to remain committed to the work despite these challenges?
I believe that good teachers want to empower other teachers to be successful. I am a teacher. I have been for more than 20 years now. When we initially started the program, my focus was to ensure that South Carolina’s children have access to effective teachers. While that is still my focus, my APEC experience has taught me the importance of advocating for the people who serve our K-12 students. Becoming certified is life changing for our students, many of whom have served our schools for decades as paraprofessionals. Some of our fellows get a salary increase of more than 100% which is life changing for them and their families. One of our APEC fellows from our first cohort told us that APEC allowed her to buy her first home for her and her two teenage boys. She is a single mother and had struggled to provide for her children. Our program is opening doors for our fellows to serve their communities while better supporting their families. I have seen the program transform their lives so I am now on a mission to help as many as I can improve their financial situation while doing what they love to do. To do this, I work very hard to build relationships with my our APEC fellows. We have to encourage them and help them develop confidence in themselves. It takes a lot of time and energy to provide one-on-one support for our fellows when they need it, but we do the work because it matters.