Loyola SOE faculty receive $75,000 NCTR Educators Initiative grant

The National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR) has awarded Loyola University Maryland a $75,000 Boundless Educators Initiative grant to support the Baltimore Teacher Apprenticeship Program (BTAP), which aims to increase student access to well-prepared teachers who reflect the communities they serve. Students enrolled in the M.Ed. in Special Education who are currently paraprofessionals in Baltimore County Public Schools during the 2025-26 academic year will receive enhanced training, mentorship, and tuition support to address the critical shortage of Special Education teachers while building a workforce of dedicated, experienced educators.

BTAP, led by Kristine Larson and Stacy Williams, aims to create a pathway to attract, recruit, prepare, and retain special educators who commit to continuously learning, leading, and implementing research-based practices in Baltimore County Public Schools. The residency program fosters a community of learners that positively impacts the holistic development of historically underserved populations and prepares them for long-term success.