Pick up the Houston Chronicle, and you’ll quickly learn that the question of how children in the region should be educated is an issue on which few can agree.

Regardless of one’s position, all can agree that more qualified teachers are needed. The data shows, however, that there’s a shortage—Houston needs roughly 4,000 new teachers annually, while those produced sum to less than 2,000. Right on cue, the College of Public Service (CPS) and their Alternative Certification Program (ACP) have been awarded roughly $62,000 from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to help meet the ever-present demand for skilled educators.

Dr. Ronald Beebe, Professor and Chair of Urban Education, is the principal investigator (PI) of the grant, while Dr. Eve Zehavi, Assistant Professor of Urban Education, is a co-PI, along with Dr. Diane Miller, Associate Professor and Assistant Chair for Graduate Studies.

“In the midst of the current teacher shortage, this grant will provide support for a non-traditional approach to becoming a certified teacher in the state of Texas,” said Dr. Beebe, emphasizing that such a non-traditional approach directly meets the needs of Houston students. “As one of the leading producers of teachers in the Houston area, this grant offers another preparation route that enhances UHD’s role as an anchor institution.”

The grant monies will allow UHD to continue the work of directly interfacing with local schools to identify their needs and to supply “day-one ready teachers,” like alumnus Jonathan Broadhead. The benefits of this work are manifold: PK-12 students will have well-qualified teachers capable of achieving positive student outcomes, while local schools will receive teachers that require less onboarding. Also, ACP students learn relevant skills in curriculum planning (in person and online), bilingual teaching, mathematics and literacy pedagogy, as well as classroom management and organization.

While immersed in their studies and internships, the students will receive support through weekly mentoring from UHD faculty. They’ll also receive financial and academic support as they study for the teacher certification exam.

In speaking to the Houston Chronicle, a spokesperson for the newly installed HISD Superintendent Mike Miles said that the district knows “[they] are going to struggle to find certified teachers,” making UHD’S receipt of the THECB grant not only needed, but timely.