Maryland tackles teacher scarcity by recruiting furloughed federal government employees

In an effort to combat the growing teacher shortage in Maryland, the Feds to Eds program has been gaining traction. This innovative initiative allows federal government workers to transition into teaching, preparing for certification at institutions like Montgomery College.

As of the latest data, Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) is grappling with 560 teacher vacancies, a significant number that has placed it at the top of the list in Maryland. neighbouring counties, Baltimore City, Charles, and Montgomery, also face teacher vacancies, though exact numbers have yet to be disclosed by PGCPS.

Amanda Leiter, a former deputy general counsel with the Environmental Protection Agency, is one of the individuals taking advantage of this opportunity. She is currently training to become a biology teacher at a Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) next fall, having been accepted into the Feds to Eds program.

Jake Baroch, a former Scientific Program Analyst with the National Institutes of Health, is another success story. He is now an eighth-grade teacher at Takoma Park Middle School, having completed his training at Montgomery College through the Feds to Eds program.

The Feds to Eds program at Montgomery College requires applicants to hold a bachelor's degree, maintain a 3.0 GPA average, visit an MCPS school, and write an essay about their experience there. The selection process also includes an interview to determine a candidate's long-term commitment to the teaching profession.

Participants in the program learn about the basics of teaching, including knowing the curriculum, learning about students, creating safe learning spaces, collaborating with families, and differentiating lessons for students at different reading levels. The program also focuses on strategies for controlling a classroom without resorting to calling out individual students who are acting up.

Montgomery College received $100,000 from the state to fund the Feds to Eds program. Governor Wes Moore recently announced that the Maryland Higher Education Commission would provide $1 million in grants to 11 colleges and universities, aiming to support new career paths for laid-off federal government workers.

As of the current cohort, 18 students have completed "Cohort 1" of the Feds to Eds program at Montgomery College, with an additional 14 students in the second cohort, bringing the total participants to 32.

While the exact number of teacher vacancies in other counties remains unknown, it is clear that initiatives like the Feds to Eds program are essential in addressing the teacher shortage in Maryland. By providing a pathway for federal workers to transition into teaching, the program not only helps fill vacancies but also brings a wealth of diverse experiences and skills into the classroom.

Maryland tackles teacher scarcity by recruiting furloughed federal government employees