Brookdale Expands Teacher Pipeline with $360,000 State Grant

Brookdale Community College has been awarded $360,000 through the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Growing Apprenticeships in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) program to expand a paid teacher training program that prepares future educators while helping address New Jersey’s ongoing teacher shortage.

The 18-month grant, running through December 2027, marks Brookdale’s second consecutive GAINS award supporting innovative teacher preparation. Building on the success of its existing Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher program, Brookdale will expand opportunities for future early childhood and elementary school teachers, preparing 30 participants for high-demand teaching positions across New Jersey.

Registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, the program allows future teachers to earn a paycheck while they learn. Participants gain hands-on classroom experience, complete college coursework, and receive one-on-one mentoring from experienced educators. Upon successful completion, they become eligible for New Jersey teaching certification.

“School districts across New Jersey continue to face significant teacher shortages, and Brookdale is proud to help develop innovative solutions that benefit both educators and the communities they serve,” said David M. Stout, P.D., president of Brookdale Community College. “This continued investment by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development recognizes the success of our apprenticeship model and allows us to expand opportunities for aspiring teachers while helping school districts recruit and retain highly qualified professionals.”

Brookdale has already secured commitments from seven school district partners that will hire participants, provide experienced teacher mentors, and collaborate on professional development. The College expects to expand those partnerships throughout the grant period.

The program is designed to make becoming a teacher more accessible by creating opportunities for career changers, dislocated workers, women, and individuals from underrepresented communities. Participants receive paid classroom experience, college instruction, mentoring, and individualized support while preparing to become licensed teachers.

“This program gives people a new way to become teachers without putting their careers or finances on hold,” said Susan Pagano, Ed.D., executive director of Continuing and Professional Studies. “Participants earn a salary while receiving the education, mentoring, and classroom experience they need to become successful teachers. At the same time, school districts gain a reliable source of well-prepared educators ready to make a difference from day one.”

Brookdale has established itself as a leader in workforce development, successfully administering numerous New Jersey Department of Labor initiatives, including previous GAINS, JOBS, and WIOA Title II Adult Education grants. The College currently serves more than 1,200 teacher candidates each semester across its educator preparation programs and has the infrastructure to successfully recruit, train, and support participants throughout the grant period.

The GAINS program supports the expansion of U.S. Department of Labor-approved training programs in high-demand industries, creating pathways to rewarding careers while helping employees meet workforce needs. Brookdale’s expanded teacher training initiative will strengthen the supply of qualified educators for New Jersey schools while opening new career opportunities for residents across the state.

For more information about Brookdale’s educator preparation and teacher apprenticeship programs, visit brookdalecc.edu.