Community College of Baltimore County is among the 11 colleges and universities sharing a $1 million grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission to support career paths for displaced federal workers. Through the Teacher Quality and Diversity Program, the state is helping federal workers secure jobs in education through targeted training, licensure support and school district partnerships.
The new program advances Maryland’s mission to build a workforce that strengthens the future of education across the state. The initiative is a critical component to addressing educator shortages by expanding the pool of highly skilled teacher candidates among public servants who may be seeking a new career path.
CCBC received a $100,000 grant and will assist in this effort through its “Expanding Teacher Quality and Diversity” initiative which will create a new pathway for Baltimore County Public Schools in filling vacant teaching positions. The project will design and implement a Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program for conditionally certified teachers, enabling candidates to obtain licensure in a streamlined, low-cost quality training program and continue teaching in county schools.
The Maryland State Board of Education noted that the state is grappling with over 1,600 teacher vacancies and an increase in conditionally licensed teachers. Maryland has 63,515 teachers and nearly 10% are not fully certified/licensed. The Teacher Quality and Diversity Program funding is the latest effort from Governor West Moore’s Administration to help address Maryland’s teacher shortage.
“This grant allows us to enter into areas that will make a real and lasting impact—both in our classrooms and our communities,” said CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis. “By investing in the development of conditionally certified teachers and offering federal workers a new, meaningful career pathway, we’re addressing Maryland’s urgent teacher shortage while also supporting individuals in transition. It’s a powerful win-win for education and workforce resilience.”
Since 1957, CCBC has opened the doors to accessible, affordable, high-quality education empowering generations of area residents to transform their lives and the lives of others. Each year, over 50,000 students enroll at the college’s main campuses, extension centers and online to make their starts, earn degrees, launch and build careers. CCBC offers the region’s most expansive selection of degree, certificate and workplace certification programs that prepare students for transfer, job entry and career advancement in such industries as business, education, health care, information technology, cybersecurity, construction, and transportation. Designated as the “Best Community College” among the Maryland Daily Record’s 2024 Reader Rankings, CCBC is also nationally recognized as a leader in innovative learning strategies and among the nation’s top associate degree producers.
Director, Communications