Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. – Mercy University and BloomBoard, a company that helps develop talent for K-12 school districts, have come together to address the teacher shortage in New York. They have created a partnership to support New York school districts in offering an on-the-job pathway for students in Mercy’s Bachelor of Science in Teaching Students with Disabilities program. This initiative aims to bring more highly qualified special education teachers into New York classrooms by removing traditional barriers to earning a teaching degree. The goal is to create a more accessible pathway for aspiring teachers.
Eric Martone, the dean of the School of Education at Mercy University, expressed his excitement about this partnership. He believes that by working with BloomBoard, they can create innovative pathways for future educators and help tackle the teacher shortage. This new learning model allows aspiring special education teachers to earn their degree while working in an actual classroom, providing them with valuable on-the-job experience.
In both New York and the rest of the country, there is a high demand for special education teachers. A study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics in 2022 found that 40% of U.S. public schools had difficulty filling open special education teaching positions. Additionally, in 2023, NYC Public Schools reported a critical shortage of special education teachers. The Bachelor of Science in Teaching Students with Disabilities program offered by Mercy University aims to help school districts grow a pool of highly qualified educators for these hard-to-fill positions.
Sanford Kenyon, the CEO of BloomBoard, emphasized the importance of this partnership in providing high-quality education for aspiring teachers and helping school districts address their staffing challenges. By supporting Mercy University’s program, BloomBoard aims to revolutionize educator preparation and advancement pathways.
Candidates who hold an associate degree and are currently working in a school can enroll in this program as part of a cohort sponsored by a school district. Those who successfully complete the program and pass all required certification assessments will be eligible for New York’s Students with Disabilities certificate.
BloomBoard will assist New York school districts and BOCES in implementing Mercy University’s program within their school systems. The company will help identify funding sources and provide support for effective program delivery and student success. Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES (E2CCB) is the first BOCES to partner with BloomBoard and bring this program to its school districts.
Laurie LiPuma, the Executive Director of Human Resources at E2CCB, sees this program as a solution to an unmet need in New York. Many school districts are in need of teachers, and this program allows teaching assistants, aides, and other support staff to become special education teachers while working alongside students and getting paid.
School districts interested in participating in this program can contact Michelle Licata of BloomBoard for more information. This partnership between Mercy University and BloomBoard aims to create new opportunities for aspiring teachers and address the teacher shortage in New York.
