Empowering Future Educators: Teacher Opportunity Corps Strengthens Pathways for Teacher Recruitment  

(SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY — DECEMBER 2, 2024) Empire State University’s Teacher Opportunity Corps is providing new pathways to increase the number of teachers from underrepresented groups in high-needs districts. The opportunity program is making a direct impact in New York’s Capital Region, working with prospective teachers to keep students engaged and address ongoing challenges with graduation rates, retention, and truancy.  

Dana Brown, senior director of enrichment and opportunity programs, said she wanted the Teacher Opportunity Corps to take a different approach than other opportunity programs at other institutions and attract individuals who are already in the workforce in districts with a high need for educators.  

“You already have individuals that are vested, they know the population that they want to work with, they know the kids, they know the culture,” Brown said. “A lot of them have children that are in the district that want advancement, and they want to make a greater impact by becoming a teacher.”  

To meet this goal, the university partnered with the City School District of Albany and Schenectady City School District. The program recruits teacher assistants, paraprofessionals, and other staff members within the district who want to become teachers. Every student who comes into the program has the goal of obtaining a teaching certification in New York State. The current cohort has 19 students, including eight graduate students, ten undergraduate students, and one student in a combined program. Of those students, 13 are affiliated with Schenectady City School District and six are affiliated with the City School District of Albany.  

Empire State University holds virtual information sessions and provides one-on-one guidance in partnership with the districts to help prospective students become aware of the teaching pathway opportunities. These information sessions build the foundation for Empire State University advisors to work with interested students, providing tailored guidance, information, and support throughout the application process.  Once they join the program, Teacher Opportunity Corps Scholars benefit from being paired with teaching faculty, a monthly skill-building seminar, career preparation, and mentorship throughout their academic journey and first classroom experiences.

“Many educational leaders believe that students perform better academically when taught by teachers who understand their cultural backgrounds,” Diana Centanni, director of academic access initiatives, said. “This can lead to increased engagement, participation, and achievement. Diverse educators serve as role models for students, particularly those from underrepresented groups where they can see themselves in the curriculum.”