BY DANIELLE LEGARE

The funding, which supports aspiring educators while addressing critical workforce gaps, was announced as part of a statewide $14.4 million investment by Gov. Kathy Hochul to support education workforce training programs at SUNY and CUNY campuses, as well as independent colleges and universities. UB is among the institutions selected for awards through the Alternative Teacher Certification cohort, which is designed to reduce time and cost barriers for individuals pursuing careers in education.

At UB, the funding will support the Accelerated Course to Teaching (ACT) cohort, which builds on the lessons learned from UB’s former Teacher Residency Program. ACT is a practice-based, teacher preparation pathway designed for individuals committed to advancing equity in educational experiences for students in Western New York. Participants earn initial teacher certification in childhood education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) or adolescence education in select content areas in just 16 months, while co-teaching alongside a mentor teacher in a high-need partner district for one full school year.

Through the program, residents receive $25,000 in tuition support and a $12,500 stipend for living expenses, and may be eligible for additional transportation and dependent-care stipends.

“This investment affirms the critical role the University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education plays in preparing educators who are ready to serve the communities that need them most,” said Suzanne Rosenblith, GSE dean and professor.

The program combines rigorous, relevant coursework with hands-on classroom experience and a close-knit cohort model that connects residents with mentor teachers and university faculty dedicated to improving outcomes in historically underserved communities.

“At a time when we’re experiencing federal disinvestment in our educator workforce, we are incredibly fortunate that SUNY recognizes that innovative, high-quality, funded teacher preparation programs are essential to ensuring students have access to excellent teachers who reflect the diversity of students and families in New York State,” said Amanda Winkelsas, clinical associate professor of learning and instruction and director of the ACT cohort.

“Because of this enormous investment in the educator workforce, we will be able to expand available pathways into the profession and remove barriers that deter many outstanding would-be teachers from pursuing careers in education,” she continued.

Winkelsas added that the funding will allow UB to provide both financial and programmatic support to make becoming a teacher more accessible while strengthening partnerships with local schools and communities across Western New York.

ACT is open to college seniors, recent graduates and professionals seeking career change. Previous education coursework is not required, provided applicants have an undergraduate background in their intended content area, broadening the pool of candidates who can enter the profession.

“By supporting innovative pathways like the Accelerated Course to Teaching cohort, we are expanding access to the profession, reducing financial barriers and strengthening the teacher pipeline across Western New York,” Rosenblith said. “Programs like ACT reflect our commitment to equity, community partnership and preparing excellent teachers for today’s classrooms.”