Charles County Public Schools has received $2,042,630 from the state’s Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program to expand opportunities for non-licensed school employees to become full-time teachers.
The grant, awarded through Governor Wes Moore’s office, is part of a $19 million statewide investment that will support 13 Maryland school systems. CCPS was one of the recipients selected through a competitive process.
The funding will strengthen the district’s Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP). The program allows current support staff, such as instructional assistants, to earn a teaching license while continuing to work in Charles County schools. Participants receive on-the-job training, mentorship and free coursework through partnerships with the College of Southern Maryland and Notre Dame of Maryland University.
After earning licensure from the Maryland State Department of Education, apprentices must commit to working as teachers in CCPS for three years.
Holly Dolan, CCPS staff growth and retention specialist, said the program removes financial and structural barriers that have historically limited access to the teaching profession.
“We recognized early on that the program offers a powerful opportunity to expand career pathways for support staff who already play a critical role in our schools,” Dolan said. “With RTAP, CCPS can intentionally remove financial and structural barriers that have historically limited access to the teaching profession, allowing instructional assistants and other support staff to build on their experience and transition into professionally licensed teaching roles while remaining rooted in our district and community.”
The grant targets shortages in high-need areas, including special education, math and English Language Development. Charles County Public Schools serves more than 28,000 students across 40 schools in a rapidly growing region that includes Waldorf and surrounding communities. Like many districts in Southern Maryland, CCPS has faced challenges recruiting and retaining qualified teachers in these critical subject areas.
The Grow Your Own initiative is part of the district’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, specifically Goal 3, which focuses on attracting, developing and retaining education professionals to support student success.
“Through the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, we are intentionally investing in our support staff — individuals who already know our schools, our students, and our values — by fully supporting their journey to becoming professionally licensed educators,” Dolan said. “This work strengthens a diverse, locally rooted teacher workforce and ensures that the future of teaching in Charles County is built by those who are truly connected to the communities we serve.”
The state’s Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program was expanded through the Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act. The legislation aims to address the statewide teacher shortage by supporting recruitment campaigns and debt-free pathways to licensure.
For more information on the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, visit the CCPS staff benefits page. Additional details on the state grant are available through the Maryland State Department of Education.
