McDaniel receives state grant to develop new accelerated teacher training pathway

McDaniel College has received a nearly $100,000 grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission to develop a new accelerated teacher training pathway.

Announced by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the grant is part of $1 million awarded by the State of Maryland to 11 Maryland colleges and universities through the Teacher Quality and Diversity Program.

McDaniel’s “Transition to Teach” project is aimed at providing teacher licensure for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree with emphasis on conditionally licensed teachers and career changers, including displaced federal workers.

This effort addresses teacher shortages, while supporting new career paths, and expands on McDaniel's existing initiatives to address the state's growing need for qualified teachers.

As part of a previous $1.8 million Teacher Collaborative Grant from the Maryland State Department of Education, McDaniel launched an accelerated Master of Science in Teaching, which allows students to receive their degree after four semesters, including a yearlong internship with Carroll County Public Schools. The college also developed a non-degree, three-semester course sequence to support current teachers achieve National Board Certification. 

• Read "Carroll County teachers who achieved National Board Certification through McDaniel celebrated" 

“Our goal is to diversify the teacher workforce pipeline by expanding access to high-quality teacher preparation and strengthening teacher retention,” said Tracey Lucas, assistant dean of Education at McDaniel. “We are collaborating with Carroll County Public Schools, Frederick County Public Schools, and Baltimore County Public Schools to build upon the offerings that were developed under the Teacher Collaborative Grant, in alignment with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.”