Maryland Grant Addresses Teacher Shortage With Tuition Program for School Aides, Staff

A brand new Maryland grant program that covers the prices for aides and help workers to attend faculty and turn into educators helps some colleges experiencing trainer shortages within the D.C. area.

Ruth Parker Eason Faculty in Anne Arundel County teaches particular schooling college students from Pre-Ok to as much as age 21.

Principal Amy Guerke stated the trainer scarcity felt throughout the nation is hitting her faculty particularly laborious.

“Put up-COVID, now we have seen a lower of the hiring of lecturers within the area of Particular Ed and the retention of lecturers.
So it has undoubtedly had an affect on our college,” Guerke stated.

Allison Bachman, a para educator who’s labored on the faculty since 2016, stated she jumped on the alternative
to assist her faculty whereas advancing her profession via Bowie State College’s program.

“We might go to school full-time and get a level absolutely paid for – tuition, books, all that great things, and, actually, in my dream area: particular schooling,” Bachman stated.

The Maryland State Board of Schooling’s Maryland Leads grant permits public faculty help workers to earn levels as licensed particular schooling and elementary public faculty lecturers with taking part state universities.

Anne Arundel County Public Colleges was paired with Bowie State.

“A dream come true for all of us even on the college. Once you have a look at Bowie State, that is what we’re based on – schooling,” stated Lynne Lengthy, chair of trainer studying {and professional} growth at Bowie State College.

This system requires the lecturers to remain of their counties for 3 years after they’re licensed.

“It is superb. It is superb that I haven’t got to pay for something. It is like a dream come true, truthfully,” stated Devon Sanders, a longtime para skilled at Ruth Parker Eason Faculty.

Sanders, a mom of 5, stated the web lessons and flexibility of this system is permitting her to lastly pursue her dream of changing into a trainer.

Whereas extra must be carried out to resolve the trainer scarcity, officers stated the tutoring program helps to fill dozens of trainer vacancies in Anne Arundel County.

“We have now 41 college students in our Bowie State College cohort and people 41 lecturers shall be lecturers of report in simply two years,” stated Heidi Oliver-O’Gilvie, the manager director {of professional} progress and growth for Anne Arundel County Public Colleges.

Because it stands, Bowie State College solely has funding for the one cohort, however officers stated they’re wanting into grants and different funding alternatives to strive
and broaden this system.