$800,000 Awarded for New Jersey Teacher Apprenticeship Program

Grants to Ramapo College and Rutgers University aim to help paraprofessionals become certified teachers and address staffing shortages.

MORRIS COUNTY, NJ - The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has allocated $800,000 to establish the New Jersey Teacher Apprenticeship Program, a new initiative to support paraprofessionals and instructional aides in obtaining teaching certification. Ramapo College and Rutgers University in New Brunswick will each receive $400,000 to partner with eight school districts and educational organizations across the state.

“In New Jersey, we have committed to bolstering our teacher workforce and ensuring our classrooms are staffed by the very best professionals because our students deserve nothing less,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “The Teacher Apprenticeship Program will be a game changer, helping to break down barriers to entry for paraprofessionals and classroom aides who want to become certified teachers and have already proven their passion for teaching the next generation.”

The grants, funded through the state’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget, aim to streamline pathways for educational support staff to become full-time certified teachers. Participants can earn certification in two to four years, depending on prior experience and education. The program focuses on addressing shortages in high-need areas such as special education, science, math, bilingual education, and English as a Second Language (ESL).

“It’s vital that we support the paraprofessionals and classroom aides in our educational system. Many of these professionals have worked tirelessly in classrooms for years and aspire to earn their teacher certification – but they face obstacles such as the cost of tuition and availability of programming,” said Kevin Dehmer, Acting Commissioner of Education. “This apprenticeship program will help clear the hurdles they face so they can achieve their goal of becoming a licensed New Jersey teacher, while also helping to meet the need for teachers in our school districts.”

Partner Institutions and Districts

• Ramapo College will work with:
  • Bergen County Special Services School District
  • Morris Union Jointure Commission
• Rutgers University – New Brunswick will collaborate with:
  • Bound Brook School District
  • Camden County Educational Services Commission
  • College Achieve Paterson Charter Schools
  • iLearn Schools
  • New Brunswick Public Schools
  • Roselle Public School District

“The Teacher Apprenticeship Program will provide critical support to paraprofessionals as they become certified teachers by covering the costs of their tuition, learning materials, and integrated on-the-job training,” said Robert Asaro-Angelo, Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. “This apprenticeship program carves out a career pathway for the next generation of professional educators who will lead New Jersey classrooms and deliver quality education to our students.”

Program Details

The initiative provides funding to offset costs associated with tuition, books, materials, mentorships, and on-the-job training. Staff from the NJDOE and the Department of Labor & Workforce Development will oversee the program, ensuring its effective implementation.

This apprenticeship program aligns with recommendations from Governor Phil Murphy’s Task Force on Public School Staff Shortages, established in 2022. Earlier this year, additional grants were awarded to support paraprofessional training in Paterson and Passaic City, and legislation was signed to expedite certification by allowing paraprofessional classroom experience to count toward certification requirements.

The New Jersey Teacher Apprenticeship Program reflects the state’s commitment to addressing teacher shortages while providing career growth opportunities for current school support staff.