CREATE Teacher Cohort Program | Montgomery College, Maryland

Strong No-Cost Support in Pursuing Teacher Education

The MCPS CREATE Paraprofessionals and Teacher Education Initiative CREATE Teacher Cohort Program

Exceptional Education. Extraordinary Outcomes.

CREATE (Culturally Responsive Educators Aspiring for Teaching Excellence) is a dynamic teacher cohort program for students pursuing any Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree at Montgomery College. Designed to support future educators from day one, CREATE offers a high-impact, no-cost pathway to help you stay on track, succeed academically, and move confidently toward a career in teaching.

As a CREATE cohort member, you’ll follow a structured academic plan while benefiting from weekly study sessions, tutoring, and meaningful engagement with dedicated faculty. Cohort-based learning fosters connection, accountability, and motivation—proven factors that support student success, retention, and degree completion.

CREATE is built with flexibility in mind. Many courses are available on campus, online, or in recorded formats, making it easier to balance your education with work, family, and other commitments.

With CREATE, you’re not just enrolling in classes—you’re joining a supportive community committed to helping you become a confident, culturally responsive educator prepared to make a difference.

CREATE offers strong support through:

College transfer process
Structure scheduling
One-on-one advising
Content-specific study sessions
Close interaction with faculty and mentors
Monthly CREATE Teacher Talks
Leadership opportunities
Social activities
Achieving the Promise Academy: CREATE Cohort Members are offered one-on-one Achieving the Promise Academy Coaches.

Join the CREATE Cohort

How long does it take to complete the degree program?

Typically, the program takes four to six semesters to complete. You will meet with a CREATE Program Advisor to develop an approved academic plan to complete the degree path. Often, students starting with a new cohort opt for the summer institute, when work schedules are less demanding.

What happens after I finish the AAT program?

After completing the AAT (two-year degree) at Montgomery College, you can transfer to any Maryland four-year state college or university teaching program to complete the required bachelor’s degree and state certification. You will enter the transfer school as a junior.

List of universities you can apply to:

What if I already have a bachelor's degree?

If you hold a bachelor’s degree and are interested in becoming certified in a science or math teaching field, or in French or Spanish, you may be able to apply to the Alternative Certification for Effective Teachers (ACET) program to pursue the required teaching certification. Accepted candidates will qualify for partial support of the costs for this program, as well. For information on this program, or to discuss other options for teacher certification, contact Deb Poese, Director of Teacher Education Partnerships, at Glenda.HernandezTittle@montgomerycollege.edu or 240-567-1317.

Your path matters. Your goals matter.

Information Sessions

MCPS Information Sessions (PDF, ) : Earn your Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree. Seamlessly transfer to any Maryland state university education program to complete your bachelor's in education. To learn more about this opportunity, please register and join us.

For MCPS Paraprofessionals

Take the next step in your career path. Earn an associate's degree in teaching.

Become A Teacher

This is the next step in your career path. Earn your Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree. Meet with a CREATE Advisor to determine eligibility to receive tuition assistance for this program. Email us at CREATETeacherCohort@montgomerycollege.edu

MC’s CREATE Teacher Cohort Transfer Program offers the Associate of Arts in Teaching degree. The AAT degree is equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. The program is offered on all three MC campuses, and MCPS covers tuition costs with no upfront costs for as many classes as required in developed academic plan for personnel who meet the minimum grade requirements (a C grade in each course). Cohort groups form year-round, and classes are offered in various formats and flexible scheduling options to accommodate working adults.

Complete the Associate of Arts in Teaching Degree

Typically, the program takes four to six semesters to complete. You may take as many classes per semester as identified in the approved academic plan to complete the degree path. Often, students starting with a new cohort opt for the summer institute, when work schedules are less demanding.

Limited Upfront Cost

If you are a qualified MCPS employee, you may register for approved classes without prepaying for the classes. MCPS will directly pay MC for any courses in which you earn a C or higher. You are responsible for the cost of textbooks and/or other required course materials. You are also responsible for repaying the cost of any coursework where a minimum grade of C is not earned.

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Join the CREATE Cohort