Annapolis, MD — Governor Moore today announced the second round of Grow Your Own (GYO) Educators Grant Program awards, providing $14.7 million to 13 local school systems to expand teacher preparation pathways for non-licensed school staff and strengthen Maryland’s educator workforce.
“I want Maryland to have the best public schools in the nation, so we are committed to tackling barriers to entry for educators without the burden of debt,” said Gov. Moore. “The Grow Your Own Educators Grant addresses the teacher vacancy gap and ensures our students receive the world class education they deserve by building pathways to work, wages and wealth for the professionals already dedicated to their service.”
The grants will support 845 educators statewide in becoming fully licensed educators while continuing to work in their schools. The largest awards will go to public school systems in Anne Arundel ($3.6 million), Frederick ($3.1 million), and St. Mary’s ($3.0 million) counties. The Charles and Howard ($1.5 million) county school systems will receive approximately $1.5 million each. A consortium of seven Eastern Shore districts will receive approximately $1.1 million. Worcester County Public Schools will receive $829,234.
“Grow Your Own initiatives help Maryland schools cultivate the next generation of educators from within their own communities,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. “By investing in local talent, we are building sustainable, diverse teacher pipelines that will strengthen student learning and support every child’s success.”
Earlier this year, Governor Moore announced $19 million in awards to 13 local school systems, including Montgomery, Prince George’s and Washington and most of the second-round grant recipients. A total of 16 districts statewide have received Grow Your Own Educators grants.
The second-round awards are focused on high‑need areas, including special education and early childhood. Several programs also include targeted recruitment to increase diversity within Maryland’s educator workforce.
Four districts — Anne Arundel, Frederick, Howard, and St. Mary’s — will establish pathways to support paraeducators and education support professionals in earning degrees and teacher licensure. The Eastern Shore consortium will provide an in‑district pathway enabling conditionally certified teachers to complete full licensure requirements. The Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program was expanded through the Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act signed by Governor Moore last year, which takes additional steps to address the teacher shortage by developing fully licensed teachers through recruitment campaigns and supporting debt-free pathways to teacher licensure.
