Schools in New Jersey are just a few weeks in, but many districts are still feeling the strain of a teacher shortage.

It's an issue that came into focus during the COVID pandemic, but doesn't seem to be going away.

School districts have had to find ways to get creative in filling open positions.

And some districts are finding ways to tackle the shortage head on.

Like the Camden City School District that's partnered with Rowan University to help their paraprofessionals earn teacher certifications.

Raven Santana visited the district to learn more about this innovative teacher pipeline program.

You have more than 15 paraprofessionals from the Camden City School District, and Rowan University came together to celebrate the launch of Teach Camden.

The program is designed to create a pathway for paraprofessionals to earn credits to become a teacher while still working within the Camden City School District.

Those paraprofessionals traditionally fill the roles of instructional aides and or teachers assistants.

What's so great about this is that we customize this program to meet the needs of our paraprofessionals in the city of Camden.

Tutors are provided.

All the supports are necessary so that they are able to hopefully, within the next 18 months, be able to earn their teaching certification and then be teachers in our schools.

They just have to commit five years after they go through the program.

They don't have to pay anything.

It's tuition free on their part.

We found grant funding and secured it in order to support them.

But it's just amazing.

The program, a collaboration between Rowan University and Camden City School District, is funded by the district's general funds to pay for the program and is a way to recruit and retain teachers.

Given the major teacher shortage across the country, the district is also exploring other grant funding to pay for the program, according to a 2023 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, 86% of U.S. K through 12 public schools reported challenges Hiring teachers for the 2023 2024 school year, with 83% reporting trouble hiring for non-teaching positions such as classroom aides, transportation staff and mental health professional.

Given these latest stats, that's why the dean of the Rollins College of Education says the program is also completely free.

So just the Aspire to Teach program is nearly $10,000.

Then they also have to take your praxis core, your praxis to your certification requirements.

That's quite a few thousand of dollars That adds up until they meet the requirement.

So we're in the ballpark of 12 to 13000, if not higher, to be part to be able to become a teacher after earning your bachelor's degree.

And under this program, it's all for free.

It's free.

Is such a, you know, like a dream come true really takes.

Care of a lot of that fear of the unknown, like the planning of it when you don't know what you're trying to do, like next, what's the next step?

But this really helps you figure out all the steps that are to come.

It lays it all out for you so that you know what you're doing next.

You know, I've been a parent for seven years, so to be able to do what I do every day now, but make more than double my salary, that's huge.

Like, that means the world to me to empower professionals.

I spoke with, say, in addition to the program, eliminating barriers to become certified teachers, it also allows them to inspire youth.

They need that they they need that that model, role model.

You know, so being that I'm, you know, an adult male teacher for some reason they they really gravitate gravitate to me.

You know, when I got placed in the high school just talking to the kids every day and what they need them dealing with substitute for a whole school year and I haven't teachers.

It's a lot and it is.

But you know, it's the kids suffer and they need people that care and wants to be there and, you know, are invested in them.

And I really feel like that's where my pool is.

These participants are expected to complete the program this summer and then have the opportunity to become full time teachers.

The superintendent says she now hopes the program expands with more participants and funding for NJ Spotlight News.

I'm Raven Santana.