UPDATED April 27 at 10 a.m.
This post has been updated to include details of the program from Montgomery County Public Schools.
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Montgomery County Public Schools was awarded $6 million from the state under a program designed to help unlicensed school staff become full-time teachers.
Gov. Wes Moore announced Thursday that the state has allocated $19 million in Grow Your Own Grant program. The grants are expected to bring about 620 more educators to the profession statewide. The money will be used for recruitment and preparation for current school employees to become licensed teachers allowing them to continue working in their teacher-adjacent roles, also known as para-educators, according to the governor’s office.
“This strategic pipeline investment is the foundation for a diverse and world-class educator workforce, ensuring our students benefit from the mentorship and quality support they deserve,” Moore said in a statement.
MCPS, which received the largest award, requested the money for 164 conditionally licensed as teachers and apprentices to be trained to become full-time teachers. Those in the program will still work for MCPS, thus maintaining a paycheck throughout the program.
The program offers full tuition, fees, books and testing materials. Participants will have a flexible schedule and will receive hands on training in the classroom as well as personal coaching.
The school district plans to use the money to partner with Towson University, Notre Dame of Maryland University and local employee associations “to create new pathways to help current staff members become fully certified teachers while they continue to work for MCPS,” it said in a news release.
“By supporting employees who already work in our schools, the district is building a stronger future for its workforce,” it stated in the press release.
The program is geared for support staff, temporary teachers and men.
“These grants allow for investment in the dedicated professionals already in our classrooms and school buildings—our paraprofessionals and conditionally licensed teachers—and provide them with a clear, debt-free path to licensure,” said Carey M. Wright, state superintendent of schools in a statement. “We are building a diverse, highly qualified workforce that reflects our students and ensures every child has access to a world-class education.”
Maryland is experiencing a teacher shortage, which is why the program is needed, according to Moore. School districts are expected to prioritize recruiting and retaining male educators, in particular, according to the statement.
“More diverse teachers help us meet three urgent needs: more positive role models for young people, more Marylanders in stable, rewarding careers, and a smaller teacher shortage gap,” said Carmel Martin, special secretary in the Governor’s Office for Children in a statement.
The grant program was expanded through the Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act, signed by Moore last year. The law addresses the teacher shortage by developing fully licensed teachers through recruitment campaigns and supporting debt-free pathways to teacher licensure, according to the release.
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