ANNAPOLIS, MD—Gov. Wes Moore announced Monday the launch of Maryland’s first state-sponsored registered apprenticeship program for teachers, an initiative designed to expand the educator workforce and create a more affordable path into the profession.
The new program, developed in partnership with the Maryland State Department of Education, the Maryland State Education Association, and the Maryland Department of Labor, will allow aspiring teachers to “earn while they learn” by working in classrooms while pursuing their degree and teaching license.
“If someone is raising their hand to teach our children, they should be rewarded with opportunity, not burdened by debt,” Moore said. “Today marks another step in our work to uplift the aspirations of our students and educators by closing the teacher shortage.”
The program builds on a framework first implemented in St. Mary’s County Public Schools in 2024. Unlike traditional programs, the apprenticeship model offers hands-on training, mentorship, and paid work experience while apprentices complete their college degrees. The state has filled more than 500 teacher vacancies since the Moore-Miller Administration took office, according to the governor’s office.
The first group of apprentices is expected to begin enrollment in Caroline and Washington counties in early 2026. The program is designed to eventually be scaled statewide, offering a pathway to teaching for a wide range of individuals, from high school students to mid-career professionals.
The initiative is part of the Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act, which was signed into law earlier this year to address the teacher shortage by supporting debt-free pathways to teacher licensure.
“This ‘earn-as-you-learn’ model will help address the state’s critical teacher shortage by taking a homegrown approach to preparing the next generation of educators,” said State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright. “Most importantly, more students will have the opportunity to learn from teachers who come from communities like their own.”
Maryland State Education Association President Paul Lemle said the program provides a high-quality path into the profession and “opens a door into teaching for students and workers who are currently in other roles.”
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