Georgia – In a state where the need for qualified educators is more pressing than ever, Georgia State University’s College of Education & Human Development (CEHD) has teamed up with four Georgia school districts to address the teacher shortage in the state.
The Pathways to Teacher Credentialing Project is a collaboration between CEHD and four prominent Georgia school districts, including Atlanta Public Schools, Gwinnett County Public Schools, the Newton County School System, and Rockdale County Public Schools. This partnership aims to not only prepare new educators but also to retain experienced ones in an effort to bolster the state’s education workforce.
Provisionally licensed teachers and paraprofessionals with bachelor’s degrees in these four districts will pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching degree, enabling them to become certified teachers of record. Simultaneously, licensed and certified classroom teachers will be able to pursue a Master of Education degree through the program. This will enable them to further enhance their teaching skills and open doors to career advancement opportunities.
Over the span of three years, the CEHD will oversee the professional development of 270 educators, a significant step towards addressing the shortage of qualified teachers in the state.
All teachers and paraprofessionals earning advanced degrees through the Pathways to Teacher Credentialing Project commit to teaching in their districts for a specific number of years after graduation, ensuring a more stable local workforce for schools.
The project leverages the College of Education & Human Development’s successful alumni retention rates in the state. Around 95 percent of CEHD teacher education alumni remain in the metro Atlanta area for their careers, and 87 percent continue working in high-needs schools three years post-graduation.
By recruiting educators who are already part of these districts and have demonstrated dedication to a career in education, the Pathways to Teacher Credentialing Project strengthens Georgia’s teacher workforce and ensures students receive a high-quality education from well-prepared teachers.
This program’s funding comes from various sources, including Georgia State, the four partner school districts, federal- and state-level TEACH Grants, and The Goizueta Foundation.
Laura May, CEHD associate dean and project director, said, “The quality of a child’s teacher has a tremendous impact on their learning. We’re excited to see multiple stakeholders come together to support this meaningful, long-term professional development program.”