VDOE issues grants to help schools staff classrooms

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - School divisions across the commonwealth are getting extra money to help recruit teachers.

The Virginia Department of Education’s Grow Your Own Plan will help college students who want to become teachers to become fully licensed and get a full-time teaching position once they graduate.

The VDOE has awarded grants totaling $1.5 million to 24 school divisions to help create apprenticeship programs to help recruit and train future teachers.

Several colleges in the area including Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia State University are participating to help support 165 apprenticeships during the school year.

“Teacher recruitment is a major issue for school divisions, and we recognize that new approaches are needed to help build a strong talent pipeline for our schools.  Working with the National Center for Grow Your Own, we are creating innovative ways to help increase teacher supply and make becoming a classroom teacher more affordable for students and dedicated professionals who want to serve in our schools,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons.

This program follows on a previously awarded $1.78 million in July 2023.