Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE). The 2022-2023 Cultivating Teachers Grant is designed to support professional learning for teachers of “Teaching as a Profession Pathway” courses and recruitment of high school students to participate in the Pathway.

Tim Hemans, executive director of GCPS College and Career Development, is thrilled about the grant. “With the awarded funds, we have ambitious strategies in place to enhance our recruitment efforts for the Teaching as a Profession pathway,” he shares. “In November, we will organize a seminar for aspiring teachers, providing them with a glimpse into the exhilarating opportunities and potential that the teaching profession offers, particularly within GCPS.”

The grant is part of the GaDOE’s plan to use $350,000 to support 38 school districts with Teaching as a Profession Pathway courses. Teaching as a Profession is among more than 100 Career Pathways available to Georgia students through the Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education program. Career Pathways allow students to learn skills for real-world careers and earn recognized industry credentials.

State Superintendent Richard Woods says these types of programs are essential. He explains, “We are committed to providing support for programs cultivating the next generation of Georgia educators. Teaching is the only profession that impacts all other professions, and we want to ensure we provide the best educational opportunities for students who wish to become teachers.”

According to the GaDOE, there has been a decline in student enrollment in Educator Preparation Programs in Georgia in the last several years. As a result, school systems have seen a negative impact on their ability to find and recruit teachers. The GaDOE believes initiatives like the Cultivating Teachers Grant will help turn that around.