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Great Basin College presents competency‑based teacher prep and seeks trauma‑informed endorsement funding
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Summary
Great Basin College described its competency‑based educator preparation, clinical practice and a $500,000 SB 165 award to develop a trauma‑informed endorsement, with plans to pilot courses and send a first cohort in mid‑2026.
Great Basin College representatives detailed how competency‑based learning drives their educator preparation programs and outlined a funded effort to develop a trauma‑informed endorsement.
Denise Padilla, elementary education program supervisor at Great Basin College, said the college’s bachelor’s programs require 120 credits with multiple practicum placements and a paid student‑teaching internship. "We help our teachers to be certified kindergarten through eighth grade," Padilla said. She described practicum placements of roughly 155 hours and noted the program supplies rubrics and mentor feedback to measure candidates’ competencies.
Brian Zeissler, program supervisor for secondary education, described secondary pathways and endorsements and said GBC recently received approval to implement associate of arts degrees in 2026. Zeissler noted clinical practice includes simulations and partnered school placements.
Padilla and Zeissler told commissioners that GBC was awarded $500,000 through Senate Bill 165 to develop a trauma‑informed micro‑credential or endorsement. "GBC was awarded through Senate Bill 165, dollars 500,000 to develop a micro credential or endorsement," Padilla said, adding the program aims to have courses ready by June 2026 and to send an initial cohort of about 60 teachers through the training. Padilla said roughly $360,000 of the award will be used for scholarship support for trainees.
GBC described a new MOU with Ohio State to implement CPaaS for data collection and accreditation analysis; faculty and lead teachers will be trained in December and January, with CPaaS implementation running January through May, according to the presenters. The college also discussed partnerships across NSHE and work with WestEd to prepare for a spring 2028 accreditation visit.
Commissioner Collier praised GBC’s endorsements and the trauma‑informed project as "critically needed right now." Jeff Brisky of the Nevada Department of Education echoed support and noted the commission will consider the endorsement language when ready. The presentation concluded with the commission thanking the presenters and noting the matter will return as the endorsement and course materials are developed.
What’s next: GBC aims to complete course development by June 2026, implement CPaaS data collection during the next academic cycle and present proposed endorsement language to the commission when ready.
