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On-the-Job Degrees to Tackle New Jersey’s Teacher Vacancy Challenges

A New Pathway to Teacher Certification—Rooted in Your Schools

Drew University is partnering with school districts across the state of New Jersey to develop sustainable talent pipelines while advancing and retaining educators through an on-the-job, degree-based instructional model, in partnership with BloomBoard. Learn more about the work we’re doing around teacher apprenticeships and find out how we can support your district in addressing your teacher shortage.

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BloomBoard is a New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development-approved Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program sponsor. In Spring 2025, BloomBoard also secured a $600,000 GAINS grant to help districts grow their own teachers. Find out how we can support your district in accessing these funds.

Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program

Watch & Listen

Learn about East Orange School District’s Beyond the Bell – EOSD Educator Pathway Program

Hear BloomBoard President, Jason Lange, discuss how to sustainably fund teacher pipeline development.

Talk directly with a BloomBoard representative to learn more about our solutions.

BloomBoard & Drew University

Drew University has partnered with BloomBoard to support school districts in addressing their teacher shortages through new on-the-job educator pathways that enables school paraprofessionals and staff to earn their teaching credentials while continuing to work. Programs offered include:

✅ Bachelor Degree in Elementary Education*

✅ Teachers of Students with Disabilities Endorsement

✅ Content Area Alternate Route Certification

*For Candidates who have an Associate Degree

Why Districts Are Choosing On-the-Job Pathways

✅ Build Your Own Pipeline by investing in trusted, community-rooted staff

✅ Retain Talent by creating clear, supported pathways for advancement

✅ Fill High-Need Roles—especially in areas like special education

✅ Reduce Hiring Costs by developing educators from within

✅ Access Flexible Funding through workforce boards and state support

Why Districts Are Choosing On-the-Job Pathways

About BloomBoard

Watch this brief video to learn more about BloomBoard and how we support school districts with educator pipeline, advancement, and retention solutions.

→ To learn more, contact Dan Faciana, Massachusetts Account Representative at dan.faciana@bloomboard.com.

Contact us to learn more about how we can support your district.

Webinar: Solving for the Special Education Teacher Shortage in New Jersey

In New Jersey—as in the rest of the country—special education teaching candidates are in high demand. In this recorded webinar hosted by BloomBoard, you can learn about an innovative program offered by Drew University that aims to help school districts sustainably grow a pool of highly-qualified educators for these hard-to-fill positions. Jason Lange, President and Co-Founder of BloomBoard hosted the conversation with Dr. Kristen Turner, Chair of Education for Drew University, and Dr. Dennis Copeland, Director of Human Resources for Hamilton Township School District.

Informational Resources

The New Playbook for Recruiting & Retaining Gen Z Teachers

The New Playbook for Recruiting & Retaining Gen Z Teachers

In this short guide based on current research on the preferences and values of Gen Z, you’ll find actionable strategies school districts can implement to attract and retain the next generation of educators.

Preparing Teachers Who Stay: Residency-Based Innovation

Preparing Teachers Who Stay: Residency-Based Innovation

In this webinar Jason Lange, President and Founder of BloomBoard, and Jill Harvieux Pitner, Chief Growth Officer of National Center for Teacher Residencies, discuss the transformative impact of teacher residency programs.

Teacher Apprenticeship: A New Model for Innovative Districts to Fill Classroom Vacancies

Teacher Apprenticeship: A New Model for Innovative Districts to Fill Classroom Vacancies

Listen in for a conversation with district leaders who are bringing teacher apprenticeship-based programs into their districts to build skills, remove traditional barriers to advancement and retention, and become employers of choice

Learn More

If you’d like to learn more about Virginia Wesleyan University’s on-the-job degree programs powered by BloomBoard, complete the form below and we’ll be in touch!