Towson University offering pathway to teaching for former federal employees
Training experience begins to prepare displaced federal employees in Maryland to teach in a classroom beginning fall 2025
Towson University’s College of Education introduced “Imagine: A Pathway to Teaching,” a new initiative funded through Maryland’s Teacher Quality and Diversity Program . Powered by a $1 million grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the program supports displaced federal employees transitioning into Maryland’s classrooms to address critical teacher shortages.
"Displaced federal employees bring a wealth of professional expertise and public‑service dedication to education,” says Laurie Mullen, dean of the College of Education. “Through this pathway, we’re taking this unique opportunity to enrich our classrooms and offer these individuals a meaningful pathway to a new career.”
The program begins with a week-long training experience focused on lesson planning, classroom management, Maryland education standards and more. COE faculty Kelly Davis and Laura Jacobs are supporting the initiative. “Our [program] design centers on adult learners whose leadership skills and real‑world experience are assets in the classroom,” says Davis.
Once participants complete the training, they will be conditionally qualified to accept teaching positions in select Maryland counties. TU will support their placement and provide coaching and assistance to begin teaching in the 2025–26 school year. Additionally, participants will benefit from ongoing mentorship from TU faculty while they transition to the classroom and in their first year of teaching. They will also receive personalized advising to help identify the licensure program best suited to their goals and certification requirements.
Participants will receive a stipend to support their training and a teacher’s salary once placed in a classroom.
“Imagine: A Pathway to Teaching” is now accepting applicants. All must have a bachelor’s degree, attend and complete the training experience from July 28–Aug. 1 and be available to begin teaching in fall 2025 in Maryland.
For more information on the program or begin the application, visit /coe/departments/pathway-teaching-federal-employees.html.
For media inquiries, please email Jamie Abell.
About Towson University
Towson University is Maryland’s university of opportunities. With more than 150 years of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, research and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with nearly 20,000 students and nearly 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast’s cultural and economic epicenters, TU is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. TU meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty and staff.
Maryland is mobilizing. [...] This funding helps our federal workers land on their feet, while also addressing the teacher shortage throughout our state. Together, we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and protect our people in the face of attacks from Washington.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore
from the Office of Governor Wes Moore announcing the Maryland Higher Education Commission grants to support new career paths for displaced federal workers.