Thinking about teaching? A $3,500 grant is available for classified employees

Calling all classified employees: Have you ever felt drawn to be a teacher?

Making a career change at any point in life can be daunting, especially changing to one that requires a certification. That’s why the Orange County Office of Education, in partnership with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, is offering a $3,500 per year Classified Employee Grant to eligible classified employees looking to complete their teaching credential.

To be considered for the grant, applicants must currently be employed by either OCDE, the Butte County Office of Education, Imperial County Office of Education, San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools or the San Diego County Office of Education. A bachelor’s degree is not required at the time of application, but applicants must have completed at least 60 college units and plan to complete their undergraduate at a California university. Applicants must also intend to enroll in a California-based program approved by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing to earn their teaching credential.

Further guidance and support will be provided via an assigned educational advisor for each grant participant. These advisors will provide one-on-one mentorship and develop an Individualized Pathway Plan outlining the steps to obtain a credential. 

Applications are now open on a first-come, first-served basis and can be downloaded and submitted via the CEG website. For more information, visit the website or contact Ana Barron Viana at aviana@ocde.us.