Governor Moore Joins MC President, Education Leaders, Displaced Federal Workers to Announce Grant Bolstering Maryland's "Feds to Eds" Teaching Program

Montgomery College welcomed Maryland Governor Wes Moore to the Rockville Campus Tuesday to announce that the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) will provide $1 million in grants to 11 colleges and universities to support new career paths for displaced federal workers. Included in the announcement, a $100,000 Teacher Quality and Diversity Grant that will support the College’s newly expanded "ACET Flex: From Feds to Eds" program. The College's Fed to Eds program creates innovative, accelerated pathways into the teaching profession for displaced federal employees and strengthens the educator pipeline in Montgomery County and throughout the state. 

The governor made the announcement during a roundtable discussion between higher education leadership and displaced federal workers enrolled in the College's ACET Flex: From Feds to Edsnew window program. The discussion centered on innovative pathways to transition into careers in education through targeted retraining and certification programs, highlighting the value of federal employees’ diverse work experience and commitment to public service.

“Montgomery College was thrilled to host Governor Wes Moore, who announced a grant to help displaced federal workers transition into teaching positions in Maryland,” said President Jermaine F. Williams. “Through the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s Teacher Quality and Diversity Grant, MC’s Alternative Certification for Effective Teachers program will be strengthened to facilitate degree-holding professionals who want to begin a new career sharing their knowledge and educating students in the classroom. Drawing on the talent and commitment of federal workers will empower students in Maryland to achieve even more.”

Since 2006, Montgomery College (MC) has trained teachers through a rigorous, fast-paced Alternative Certification for Effective Teachers (ACET) model with the goal of attracting career-changers into education and accelerating the placement of highly skilled professionals with industry experience into Maryland classrooms. The ACET program, provided in collaboration with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), has demonstrated statewide leadership in alternative teacher preparation. 

Through the MHEC Talent Quality and Diversity Grant Program, Montgomery College is redesigning its current ACET program to create an innovative pathway intentionally targeting displaced federal employees—many of whom bring deep subject-matter expertise, leadership experience, and a strong sense of public service. Additionally, a dual-cohort model will provide a track for conditionally certified Maryland teachers to reach full licensure through differentiated coaching, extended internship opportunities, and residency-year options tailored to their unique needs. The proposed project is titled ACET Flex: From Feds to Eds. 

“Maryland is mobilizing. We refuse to stand idly by while the new federal administration fires public servants without cause and are doing everything in our power to put Marylanders first,” Gov. Moore said. “This funding helps our federal workers land on their feet, while also addressing the teacher shortage throughout our state. Together, we will continue to innovate, collaborate, and protect our people in the face of attacks from Washington.”

There are two main project goals for the ACET Flex: From Feds to Eds Program: 1) Expand alternative educator licensing pathways to support up to 18 conditional teachers and federal workers transitioning into teaching, and 2) Create additional credentialing offerings to support up to 30 conditional teachers in obtaining MSDE educator licensure through new Educative Performance Based Assessment (EdTPA) course offerings. The requested funds support curriculum development, program redesign, and faculty training, all of which are essential for modifying the existing ACET program to meet the needs of career changers and conditionally licensed MCPS teachers. 

“We are excited to offer a program that not only responds to the immediate needs of our community but also invests in the future of education in Maryland,” said Dr. Deidre Price, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs/College Provost. “Displaced federal workers have invaluable knowledge, leadership skills, and a commitment to public service. This initiative provides them with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive as educators in our schools.” 

For more information about the ACET Flex: From Feds to Eds program, contact  ACET@montgomerycollege.edu.