Prairie State Wire

Governor JB Pritzker, alongside the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), has announced $1.5 million in grants awarded to three universities through the Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) Teacher Apprenticeship Program. This initiative aims to provide career pathways and supportive services for aspiring educators in Illinois.

Governor Pritzker stated, “In Illinois, we know that to improve education for our kids, we need great teachers in every classroom.” He emphasized the program's role in overcoming barriers faced by aspiring educators.

The JTED Teacher Apprenticeship Program is set to upscale paraprofessional educators through pilot programs led by educator preparation providers. These pilots will partner with local education and workforce agencies to refine curriculum and competencies. Upon completion, the state aims to establish best practices for a Department of Labor registered Teacher Apprenticeship.

Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton highlighted the importance of paraprofessionals: "Paraprofessionals play an invaluable role in our schools." She underscored the program’s focus on empowering educators.

The grant recipients include DePaul University ($499,735), McKendree University ($499,900), and University of Illinois Chicago ($499,064). These funds are part of broader efforts to address teacher shortages reported at over 4,000 vacancies at the start of the 2023-24 school year.

DCEO Director Kristin Richards noted that “Our state’s talented educators now have the opportunity to benefit from the JTED Teacher Apprenticeship Program.” The program seeks to support under-employed individuals currently working as paraprofessionals who reflect their student populations' diversity.

State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders described the grant as crucial for strengthening Illinois’ teacher pipeline: "Apprenticeship programs break down barriers...from upskilling into careers in teaching."

Senator Adriane Johnson expressed support for ensuring teachers have necessary resources: “Teachers are the heart and soul of our communities.”

Representative Katie Stuart commended JTED's ongoing impact: “JTED programs continue to help those that were impacted the most by the pandemic.”

This funding follows a previous $20 million investment supporting nearly 1,900 unemployed or underrepresented individuals across community-based organizations. The JTED Grant Program is financed by state appropriations outlined in Illinois' Fiscal Year 2024 budget.