Mount Saint Mary College's Division of Education proudly announces its partnership in two significant Teacher Residency Program (TRP) Grants awarded by the New York State Department of Labor, totaling $1,050,000.
These grants will provide tuition support for up to 35 educators from Orange-Ulster BOCES and Sullivan County BOCES to pursue their master’s degrees in Special Education at the Mount, addressing the urgent need for highly qualified teachers in the region.
The first grant of $450,000 will support 15 dedicated staff members from Orange-Ulster BOCES as they enroll in the Mount’s Master of Science in Education program, focusing on Special Education. This initiative directly invests in the professional development of current educators, enabling them to advance their skills and meet critical demands in classrooms.
Additionally, Sullivan County BOCES has been awarded a $600,000 grant, which will fund the master’s degree pursuits of teachers in Sullivan County at the Mount.
These partnerships are a response to the New York State Department of Labor’s Empire State Teacher Residency Program, an initiative designed to prepare the estimated 180,000 new teachers who will be needed in the next decade.
The Teacher Residency Program provides an immersive, paid experience where graduate-level teacher candidates complete a residency within a New York State public school district or BOCES program, leading to a higher education degree and New York State Initial Teacher Certification. This model allows candidates to apply theoretical coursework in real-time alongside experienced educators, ensuring comprehensive preparation for their teaching careers.