NORTH AUGUSTA --- After 15 years in the business world, Jane Monroe is stepping into the classroom to share her experience with North Augusta High School students.

Mrs. Monroe is one of about a dozen first-year teachers using their real-world knowledge as a platform for teaching in the Program of Alternative Certification for Educators.

PACE puts skilled employees in the classroom to earn their teaching certification while instructing classes.

A 15-day course this summer, which included instruction on how to create lesson plans and manage a classroom, put Mrs. Monroe on the fast track to her first year.

In addition to teaching four classes, ranging from business law to keyboarding, she'll take graduate-level courses to earn her certification in three years.

Her black suit is ready to set the professional tone for the first day.

Though she's not in the world of finance and management anymore, Mrs. Monroe said her tone will let students know they aren't that far from the real world themselves, and they'll be treated like adults.

"I'll talk to them about my background, and I let them know that over the course of the year I hope they develop a passion for something I'm teaching them," she said.

The Augusta Chronicle will follow Mrs. Monroe on her first day of class today.

Check for updates on her day and a follow-up in Tuesday's newspaper.

Reach Julia Sellers at (706) 823-3424 or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com.