UNG GenCyber AGENTs Initiative

Empowering Teachers for a More Secure Georgia

June 3 - June 7, 2024 + Online

The UNG GenCyber AGENT Initiative, Advancing GenCyber Education for North Georgia Teachers, is a professional development program for middle and high school educators interested in cybersecurity and computer science instruction.

AGENT is fully funded through a grant from the National Security Agency (NSA) to equip teachers with cyber and computer science skills at absolutely no cost to participants.

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AGENT Program Phases

The program takes place in two phases:

  • June 3 – June 7, 2024: An in-person camp that operates like a mini-conference on the Dahlonega campus.
    • Some activities will be with in teams, some will be whole group.
    • It is up to you to select the learning experience that works best for you.
  • Online through May, 2025: NSA-required follow-on activities after the camp.
agent initiative students in the computer lab

What You Will Receive In this Program

  • More than 80 hours of free professional development from expert professors and cyber leaders
  • Giveaways and classroom resources during in-person phase
  • Free lodging on UNG Dahlonega campus during in-person phase (if desired)
  • Free breakfast and lunch daily during in-person phase
  • One of the following:
    • Either Full tuition waiver for 12 credit hours of Gold Team CS Endorsement courses (a $2200 value)
    • Or an $1100 stipend for Blue Team AGENTs (received upon completion of all required post-camp requirements)

Differentiated Professional Learning

agent initiative students in the classroom

AGENT utilizes research-based methodology throughout the program to ensure all participants have the best learning experience possible. AGENT participants self-select into one of two “Teams” during the program.

  • Gold Team: Entry Level Cyber Learning
    For teachers who do not have official CS credentials and do not feel they could pass a CS GACE test independently.
  • Blue Team: Next Level Cyber Learning
    For teachers with GaPSC Computer Science credentials

Qualifying for AGENT

Team Qualifications

The two AGENT Teams have differing qualification requirements:

Gold Team AGENTs must be teaching in a middle or high school, have an interest in becoming a computer science teacher, and have a basic understanding of computers and technology.

Blue Team AGENTs must be teachers who currently hold a CS Endorsement or passing CS GACE, be teaching in a middle or high school STEM or computer science classroom (public or private), have an interest in cybersecurity, and have an intermediate understanding of computers/technology

Preferred Acceptance Criteria

Although all qualified applications will be considered, the following applicants are preferred due to grant requirements:

  • Teachers that apply by the “preferred deadline” below.
  • Public school teachers without official Computer Science teaching credentials will be admitted first (due to the high need with SB108)
  • Teachers from Title I schools and/or who represent diverse backgrounds
  • Teams of two or more teachers from the same school
  • Administrators and at least one teacher
  • Public middle or high school teachers with T4 or higher
  • Teachers from the UNG College of Education’s Professional Development Schools
  • Teachers who have not completed a GenCyber program in the past

Consider the Following Before Applying

Full Program Commitment is Required: 

Each AGENT participation spot represents a $6,250 investment from the federal government in Georgia teachers. If an accepted participant drops outa we may not be able to locate a replacement, especially after the program begins. AGENT participants must commit to either the full CS Endorsement pathway or the cyber-only pathway.

In-Person Portion Travel: 

Participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from Dahlonega and dinner each day during the in-person camp portion of the program. Participants have the option to stay on campus or commute.

Gold Team Endorsement Course Time Commitment:

AGENTs seeking their CS Endorsement must read the full Endorsement Plan of Study (PDF) carefully to make sure the required courses and policies will work for their personal and professional contexts

Follow-On Activities

These activities are entirely online and in separated teams.

Application Process

To apply, you must complete the online UNG GenCyber AGENTs of Change Program Application Form, with the following requirements:

  • Create a 2-5 minute video with the following:
    • A brief introduction
    • Why are you interested in becoming a GenCyber AGENT?
    • How will cyber/computer science be used in the classroom?
    • If you do not currently hold a CS Endorsement, explain why you would like to obtain Computer Science teaching credentials
  • Create a link that is viewable for external audiences. 
    • A link will be required in the application form
      • If we are unable to access portions of your application, it will be considered incomplete and may prevent your acceptance to the program.
  • Provide the name and official school email of a supervisor (principal preferred) for a recommendation form to fill out.

Important Dates

  • Application Due Date for Preferred Acceptance: February 16, 2024*
  • AGENTs Kickoff Event: March 2024 via Zoom
  • In-Person Dates: June 3-7, 2024
*Applications will be accepted after the preferred deadline until all spots are filled. Additional applicants will be placed on a waitlist and notified as soon as a spot opens & prior to the start of the program.

Apply Today!