Recruiting and retaining educators has reached new levels of urgency as school districts and county offices of education try to alleviate the teacher shortage.
According to the California Department of Education, there were more than 10,000 teacher vacancies during the 2021-22 school year and a 16 percent decline in newly credentialed teachers entering the workforce. The state Department of Education, county offices of education, school districts, and schools have partnered on strategies that aim to bring more educational professionals to schools and classrooms. The latest strategy entices future educators through financial assistance.
The Golden State Teacher Grant awards up to $20,000 in scholarships to students who want to become a teacher or school mental health clinician and are enrolled in a professional preparation program, as well as a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship for college students enrolled to become a tutor in a College Corps Program.During 2022-23,180 applicants in Santa Clara County were awarded more than $3 million through the Golden State Teacher Grant. More funds have been awarded to those completing a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and to community members taking coursework. A $5,000 annual grant is available for five consecutive years to people who complete the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification and teach in high-needs schools.
At a local level, the Santa Clara County Office of Education’s Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) helps aspiring educators navigate the journey to becoming teachers and administrators through six programs. With the continued expansion of the Educators Preparation Programs like EPIC and LEAP, special education teachers and leaders are prepared to enter the profession with support throughout the credentialing process. New programs, such as Educator Workforce Pathways, provide educator candidates access points to pursue and complete a teaching credential in a desired area. These programs offer Multiple Subject Credentials, Single Subject Science Credentials, and Administrator Credentials.
In 2022, EPP help participants attain 130 Preliminary Education Specialist Credentials, 83 Preliminary Administrative Services Credentials, 32 Administrative Services Credentials, and supported 11 new teachers in the induction process to clear their teaching credentials. Since January 2023, EPP has advised nearly 500 people on pathways to becoming a teacher.
If you are interested in teaching or becoming a mental health clinician in education, start your preliminary research by visiting the Commission on Teacher Credentialing’s Roadmap to Teaching. Then, join the Santa Clara County Office of Education for the next Step Into Education event on August 17. This event will help you learn what is required, how to navigate the credentialing process, compensation information, financial aid and information about the benefits of retiring from public education when the time comes. You will have the opportunity to interact with educators and experts about a career in education.
With high-quality and diverse educators, students thrive. When students thrive, they can achieve their goals in and beyond academia. Be part of student success – start your journey to becoming an educator today.