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

Virginia Wesleyan University is partnering with school districts across the state of Virginia 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.

Watch & Listen

Candidate Stories

See what program candidates have to say about about the program and how it changed their lives.

Listen

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

Contact

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

BloomBoard & Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Wesleyan University has partnered with BloomBoard to support school districts in addressing their teacher shortages through a new on-the-job degree program that enables school paraprofessionals and staff to earn their teaching credentials while continuing to work. The initial program will focus on high-need teaching areas, offering a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education.

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 Lisa Gantt, Virginia Account Representative at lisa.gantt@bloomboard.com.

A Few of Our Oklahoma Partners…

Loudoun County Public Schools

Richmond Public School District

Frederick County Public Schools

What District Leaders Are Saying

India Smith

Don’t walk, run if you have the chance to get into this program. It’s been a dream come true for me. I’ve always wanted to teach and this program has opened the door and made it all possible.

India Smith

Paraprofessional, Miami Trace Local Schools (OH)

BloomBoard’s Talent Development Solutions

Build your talent pipeline while advancing and retaining your educators.

No matter where your educators are on their journey, we have a solution for their economic and professional advancement. In Virginia, we currently offer:

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (pre-K–6)
Bachelor of Arts in Special Education (K-12)

BloomBoard’s Talent Development Solutions

Informational Resources

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

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

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!