(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)January 13, 2026

Expansion of Ramapo College’s TA-to-Teacher program will help teacher assistants, paraprofessionals, and aides become certified teachers while working

MAHWAH, N.J. — Ramapo College of New Jersey has been awarded a $313,973 grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development to expand its innovative Teacher Aide-to-Teacher Education (TATE) program, a registered apprenticeship designed to address New Jersey’s ongoing teacher shortage while creating clear, affordable pathways for teacher assistants to become certified educators.

The 18-month grant, awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Growing Apprenticeships in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) program, will support the enrollment of new registered apprentices across seven North Jersey counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren. Ramapo’s The TATE program, launched in 2022, is New Jersey’s first U.S. Department of Labor–registered teacher apprenticeship provider. The expansion of this program reflects the College’s continued leadership in applied learning and workforce development that directly serves the needs of the state.

“This grant allows us to grow a proven model that benefits students, school districts, and communities across New Jersey,” said Dr. Adam Fried, assistant dean of teacher education at Ramapo College. “By supporting teacher assistants already working in our schools, we are strengthening the educator pipeline and helping address a critical workforce need.”

The TATE program uses an “earn-and-learn” model that allows participants, most often teacher aides or paraprofessionals, to continue working full time in their school districts while completing credit-bearing coursework toward a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Apprentices may also pursue a streamlined “4+1” pathway to earn a Master of Arts in Special Education.

Participants are officially registered with the U.S. Department of Labor as teacher apprentices and receive paid, on-the-job training alongside academic instruction aligned with New Jersey Department of Education and USDOL standards. The program also provides wraparound support, including academic advising, mental health services, and emergency micro-grants through Ramapo’s We Care Student Relief Fund, helping students overcome financial and life barriers that might otherwise delay degree completion.

The program is designed to help teacher assistants move into certified teaching roles—nearly doubling their earning potential—while helping districts retain educators who already know their schools, students, and communities. By building a reliable, local pipeline of trained teachers, the program supports long-term stability in New Jersey classrooms.

The expansion builds on Ramapo’s existing partnerships with Bergen County Special Services and the Morris Union Joint Commission and extends the program’s reach across the northern region of the state. The grant also advances equity goals by prioritizing participation from underrepresented and disadvantaged populations.

Ramapo College, the premier public liberal arts college in New Jersey known for its student-centered approach, strong public mission, and commitment to access, equity, and opportunity, has committed to sustaining the program beyond the grant period, ensuring it remains a permanent part of Ramapo’s educator preparation efforts.

Prospective students and school district partners can learn more by visiting ramapo.edu/te/ or emailing admissions@ramapo.edu.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice. To learn more about Ramapo College, visit ramapo.edu.

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