The Maryland State Department of Education has awarded Allegany County Public Schools a grant to initiate the Maryland Leads Partner Program “Grow Your Own Staff,” a partnership with Allegany College of Maryland.

This multimillion dollar grant will allow ACPS students to enroll in early college/dual enrollment classes as part of ACM’s Teacher Education program. Students who desire to earn a degree in early childhood education, elementary education, or secondary education can get a jumpstart on earning college credits while in high school with no tuition costs.  Recruitment for the early college-high school teacher education pathway will begin this spring with the program slated to begin in August of 2023. The program will be open to both juniors and seniors.

“Through the grant, we can address challenges related to the critical shortage of teacher education candidates and invest in the future needs of the school district,” said Dr. Kim Green Kalbaugh, ACPS Chief Academic Officer.  “The grant has the capacity to cultivate teacher candidates who are likely to stay in Allegany County where they have family and community ties.”

“ACM’s partnership with ACPS is already strong, and this ‘Grow Your Own Staff’ partnership will continue to develop our joint commitment to exemplary educational opportunities in Allegany County through collaborative efforts to train and nurture more teachers in our schools,” said Dr. Kurt Hoffman, ACM Senior Vice President of Instructional and Student Affairs. “It will create pathways that streamline the process of earning an associate degree in teacher education, thereby creating solutions to staffing challenges.”

Published 11/7/22