Maryland Governor Wes Moore
The initiative comes as Maryland faces more than 1,600 teacher vacancies statewide as of mid-March, while federal workers experience job displacement under new federal administration policies. The program represents an innovative approach to workforce development that leverages the skills and public service experience of former federal employees.
"Maryland is mobilizing. We refuse to stand idly by while the new federal administration fires public servants without cause and are doing everything in our power to put Marylanders first," Governor Moore said during a roundtable discussion at Montgomery College in Rockville. "This funding helps our federal workers land on their feet, while also addressing the teacher shortage throughout our state."
The grant program specifically aims to diversify Maryland's teaching workforce by drawing from the varied backgrounds and experiences of federal employees. Maryland Higher Education Commission Secretary Dr. Sanjay Rai emphasized that former federal workers bring valuable skills to education.
"Former federal employees have the skills and experience needed to provide a high-quality education and diversify our classrooms to reflect our communities," Rai said. "By implementing this grant program, we are helping to ease the transition into meaningful and stable careers while closing the teacher shortage."
The program builds on existing alternative certification pathways, with institutions creating flexible, online, and accelerated routes to teacher licensure specifically designed for degree-holding professionals with substantial work experience.
Eleven Maryland institutions received funding, representing a mix of historically Black colleges and universities, community colleges, and public and private four-year institutions:
