UWF’s TeacherReady Program continues partnerships to address teacher shortages nationwide

For more than two decades, the University of West Florida's TeacherReady Online Certificate Program has made a significant impact in addressing teacher shortages across the U.S. through innovative partnerships with school districts, assisting para-professionals, non-certified teachers, military veterans and spouses, career changers and recent college graduates in obtaining their teaching certifications. By providing a pathway to teacher certification, these collaborations help school districts cultivate and retain high-quality educators.

In the fall of 2023, UWF's TeacherReady Program partnered with Peoria Public Schools in Illinois to increase the number of certified teachers in the district. This partnership allows candidates - including long-term substitutes, para-educators and community members - to receive tuition assistance from the district in exchange for a three-year teaching commitment. To date, more than 50 candidates have enrolled, completing online coursework, fieldwork within Peoria Public Schools and Florida State Teacher certification exams. Upon completion, participants receive both Florida and Illinois teaching certificates.

"Our candidates consistently express how much they value the program's flexibility - its online, self-paced structure accommodates the diverse schedules and lifestyles of our aspiring teachers," said Yunek Moore, teacher pathway coordinator for Peoria Public Schools. "This collaboration has been instrumental in helping us certify and hire well-qualified educators to serve in our classrooms and has made a significant impact in reducing our teacher vacancies."

Similarly, UWF's TeacherReady Program launched a partnership with Decatur Public Schools in Illinois during the spring of 2023, targeting long-term substitutes for certification. Since its inception, 12 candidates have successfully completed the program, and the district's Board of Education is considering expanding the initiative to accommodate more candidates.

"We've seen firsthand the positive impact this program has had on our educators and students," said Ashley Grayned, executive director of innovative programs and strategic planning for Decatur Public Schools. "By expanding this partnership, we can ensure that more classrooms have qualified, passionate teachers leading the way."

Beyond Illinois, UWF's TeacherReady is also making a difference in Alaska through the Alaska Student Partnership. This initiative prepares candidates not only through TeacherReady's certification program but also with specialized training on living and working in rural Alaska. Upon completion, candidates are placed in teaching positions in remote villages.

"Alaska's teacher turnover rate has ranged from 18% to 33% over the past nine years - up to five times the national average," said Crystal Burkhart, director of training at Alaska Student Partnership. "I'm happy to report that 93% of teachers who have completed our program in partnership with TeacherReady are still teaching in rural Alaska. We look forward to continuing this successful collaboration."

UWF's TeacherReady Program has also established partnerships with numerous other school districts, including:

• Booker T. Washington School in Birmingham, Alabama
• Champaign School District in Champaign, Illinois
• Distinctive Schools in Chicago, Illinois
• Lincoln County School District in Newport, Oregon

Each of these partnerships reinforces the UWF School of Education's commitment to addressing teacher shortages and ensuring that students across the country have access to qualified educators.

For more information about UWF's TeacherReady Program, visit uwf.edu/teacherready.