ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County Public Schools is creating new pathways to become a teacher. During the district’s board meeting Tuesday, leaders discussed ways to get more educators into the classroom.

Data from the National Council on Teacher Quality shows a decline in enrollment in teacher prep programs since 2012. In that year, enrollment was around 880,000. In 2022, it was around 591,000.

“It starts with us, it starts with teachers and education,” said Bonnie Toffoli, Director of Talent Acquisition for OCPS. “There’s nothing better than being a teacher. I’ve taught for many years and many grade levels. It’s my passion.”

Toffoli is mapping out all the pathways people can use to get their teacher's certification and experience in the classroom.

Possible options include starting a new pilot program, allowing college education seniors in the classroom, to a new registered apprenticeship program in the works.

“The actual apprenticeship program is an on-the-job training program. They will do most of their course study in the classroom working with a master teacher or a teacher that’s been in Florida for seven years working in our schools,” said Toffoli.

OCPS partners with more than 50 organizations for their instructional recruiting pathways. Currently, there’s 28 teaching positions on the OCPS website.

“We recruit individually for the needs of the candidate and for our schools and so if you’re interested in teaching and would like to learn a way, reach out to us,” said Toffoli.

Wednesday, Valencia College is set to propose a new Bachelor of Science Elementary Education program. It could allow even more people in Central Florida the opportunity to get their foot in a career in education.