06/11DWD Awards $1 Million in Teacher Training and Recruitment Grants

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DWD Awards $1 Million in Teacher Training and Recruitment Grants

First Wisconsinites removed from the waitlist today, others forthcoming

MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Workforce (DWD) today awarded $1 million in grants to four organizations to train 84 educators through the Wisconsin Fast Forward Teacher Training and Recruitment Grant Program. This funding supports efforts to train and recruit teachers where shortages are most prevalent in Wisconsin.

The Teacher Training and Recruitment grants cover two years of program costs to help recruit, train, and license teachers to meet the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction's (DPI) guidelines for serving qualifying low-income and/or urban area school districts.

"Teachers are essential to the success of our kids and our state, and by training teachers to deliver the best education to Wisconsin students, we're not only supporting our workforce today, but also investing in the workforce of the future," said DWD Secretary Amy Pechacek. "We're excited that this funding will support recruiting and training teachers to work in classrooms where they can make the biggest difference."

Over 300 educators were trained through Wisconsin's Teacher Training and Recruitment grants awarded in 2020 and 2022, and an additional 200 educators will be trained through five grants awarded in 2025.

These new awards will support the following organizations:

Mount Mary University Inc. | $250,000

Mount Mary University will support working with urban school partners in the greater Milwaukee area including schools participating in the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program and the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program to recruit, train, mentor, and place 10 licensed teachers. Participants will complete post-baccalaureate teacher licensure programs in areas such as special education, English as a second language, mathematics, science, social studies, and elementary education.

Carroll University Inc. | $250,000

Carroll University will offer 20 teacher candidates an affordable path to enroll in and obtain a license through a Master of Arts in Teaching program. The program will address critical teacher shortages in areas including elementary and middle school education, special education, and mathematics. Candidates will train to serve in schools that have a high percentage of students from low-income families through existing partnerships with the School District of Waukesha, West Allis School District, Greenfield School District, and the Wauwatosa School District.

Concordia University Inc. | $250,000

Concordia University will support 15 post-baccalaureate candidates to complete coursework toward cross-categorical special education licensure through its Master of Science in Education-Teaching and Learning-Special Education program. The project aims to serve large numbers of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and students with disabilities. It will focus on high-need urban areas in Milwaukee County by collaborating on recruitment, mentorship, and student teaching placement with LUMIN Schools, Milwaukee College Prep, Hmong American Peace Academy, Lincoln Academy, and Journeys Lutheran School.

Innovators in Learning and Achievement Inc. | $250,000
Innovators in Learning and Achievement Inc. will partner with Cooperative Educational Service Agency 1 (CESA 1), to recruit, prepare, and license 39 teachers in southeastern Wisconsin's highest-need school districts. The project will provide 50% tuition scholarships to support candidates pursuing teaching licenses who are working in Milwaukee Public Schools, Racine Unified School District, Kenosha Unified School District, and West Allis-West Milwaukee School District. While remaining employed in their respective districts, candidates will receive structured coaching, classroom observation, and professional development.

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Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development efficiently delivers effective and inclusive services to meet Wisconsin's diverse workforce needs now and for the future. The department advocates for and invests in the protection and economic advancement of all Wisconsin workers, employers, and job seekers through six divisions - Employment and Training, Vocational Rehabilitation, Unemployment Insurance, Equal Rights, Worker's Compensation, and Administrative Services. To keep up with DWD announcements and information, sign up for news releases and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.