Tallahassee, Fla., November 12, 2024 – Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. has announced a $5 million allocation through the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Teacher Grant (PCOG GYO). This funding aims to expand Florida's teacher apprenticeship program and enhance the teacher pipeline by creating pathways for aspiring educators. Seven institutions across the state will benefit from these funds to develop or enhance teacher apprenticeship programs.
"Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, Florida continues to enhance the teacher pipeline," said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. "The Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Teacher Grant allows aspiring educators to gain practical experience while studying to become certified teachers. Making investments like this is how Florida remains the number one state for education."
The PCOG GYO program offers a no-cost, immersive pathway into teaching through apprenticeships. Unlike traditional training methods, this program emphasizes hands-on learning where future educators gain real-world experience under experienced teachers' guidance. By focusing on practical in-classroom training, PCOG GYO aims to create a robust and well-prepared teacher pipeline for Florida schools.
Four institutions will receive an additional $4,348,921 in funding to boost their 2023-2024 allocations and further advance their teacher apprenticeship programs.
Additionally, three new institutions will be awarded grants totaling $1,095,373 million through the PCOG GYO initiative. This move is expected to increase Florida’s capacity for registered teacher apprenticeships.
This expanded funding aligns with Florida’s ongoing efforts to attract and retain high-quality teachers following Governor DeSantis’ establishment of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program through HB 1035 in 2023.
For more information about the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Program, visit www.fldoe.org/pathwaysgrant.