Latest news with #MontgomeryCollege
Yomiuri Shimbun
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Maryland Aims to Help Former Fed Workers Find Jobs — and Ease Teacher Shortages
For years, Scott Neilitz conducted analyses for a nongovernmental organization to assess the impact of its efforts. It was a job he was passionate about, but he was laid off this year as the Trump administration cut the federal workforce and funding. Neilitz tried applying for other positions in the nonprofit sector, but he found himself competing with thousands of qualified workers for the same posting. Now, he's enrolled in a program at Montgomery College that is helping him earn a teacher's license, in hopes of becoming a middle school math instructor in a few months. Neilitz is one of the thousands of former federal workers whom Maryland officials are trying to help find new careers – an effort they say could also help address an ongoing teacher shortage. The state had more than 1,600 teaching vacancies as of mid-March, according to data released the next month. The federal government typically has been the state's largest employer, but data shows that over 1,000 former federal workers filed for unemployment from November to March. This year, Gov. Wes Moore (D) ordered state agencies to support former federal employees in finding new careers. The Maryland State Department of Education began working to develop a tool to help people search for teacher preparation programs. And in May, the Maryland Higher Education Commission announced $1 million in grants to 11 colleges and universities to help former federal employees receive teacher training and licenses. '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,' Moore said in a statement announcing the grant money. 'This funding helps our federal workers land on their feet, while also addressing the teacher shortage throughout our state.' Montgomery College was one of the grant recipients, receiving money to support its Alternative Certification for Effective Teachers program for people who have a bachelor's or higher-level degree in a non-education-related specialty but want to make a career change. The program, which has been around for two decades, partners directly with Montgomery County Public Schools to find people whose expertise align with the district's critical shortage areas, like STEM-related teaching jobs and foreign language instructors. Its participants are required to have a bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 GPA or pass a content expertise exam. The program was updated to accommodate former federal workers looking to find a job on an accelerated timeline, said Glenda Hernandez Tittle, Montgomery College's senior program director for alternative certification programs. About 20 people will participate. Typically, the program involves six months of instruction, career coaching and student teaching. But some members of the most recent cohort – which started in June and was full of former federal employees – already have conditional contracts with the local school system. 'Our long-standing relationship with Montgomery College naturally evolved into this innovative program, which is bringing talented former federal workers into teaching,' schools spokeswoman Liliana López said in an email. 'We look forward to them sharing their diverse experiences, helping us staff critical shortage areas like computer science and world languages, and enriching our students' learning.' She said some members of the cohort will start teaching on the first day of the upcoming school year, which is Aug. 26. Enough people were interested in the Montgomery College teaching certification program that it was expanded to offer two cohorts; another group of former federal employees will start in August. The cohorts have many candidates with PhDs, Hernandez Tittle said, and include a few medical doctors, a former deputy counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency and a few cancer researchers. 'The expertise that these people bring to the classroom is amazing,' Hernandez Tittle said. Neilitz, 39, last worked for the National Democratic Institute as the regional lead for the Eurasia region, but the nonprofit cut about 1,000 positions after the Trump administration effectively cut funding for foreign aid. He said he was drawn to Montgomery College's program because it aligns with his lifelong passion for public service. He grew up in a family of educators and briefly taught English as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan. While his previous occupation focused on 'bringing American values to the rest of the world,' he said he's now focused on bringing that passion to a different group of people: Maryland youths. So far, he said he's learned more through the program about how students develop neurologically and emotionally, as well as how to build effective lesson plans with a clear objective. And though he plans to become a middle school math teacher, he is also being trained on how to teach literacy. Neilitz is already applying for some openings in Montgomery schools. He later hopes to become certified to teach foreign languages and work with English learners – two critical shortage areas in the county. 'The plan right now is to start off with a middle school math, get a few more certifications to figure out what is really that age level in that field that I feel super comfortable with,' Neilitz said. 'In 10 years … maybe there's a way to use those monitoring and evaluation skills I used to have with MCPS or the Maryland State Department of Education.'
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Montgomery College recieves grant for program helping displaced federal workers transition to teaching
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. () – The Maryland Higher Education Commission is providing $1 million to 11 colleges and universities across the state. Montgomery College is one of the grantees and will receive $100,000 for its newly expanded 'Feds to Eds' teaching program. Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced the funding Tuesday at Montgomery College's Rockville Campus. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, who was also in attendance, said the goal is 'pretty straightforward and pretty smart.' LOOK: Caps off to the 2025 grads! Check out our viewers' proud accomplishments 'Take people who have been displaced by recent federal job cuts, including employees, contractors, NGO staff and vendors, and help them become teachers,' Elrich explained. In addition to helping federal workers, the grant is meant to address an issue in Maryland classrooms. 'Like most jurisdictions, Montgomery County is facing a teacher shortage, and the governor made a compelling case that we need to move faster to get qualified people into our classrooms, and I agree,' he said. Montgomery College will put the $100,000 it's receiving toward the Alternative Certification for Effective Teachers (ACET), its Feds to Eds program. The funding will support the effort to transition people with professional experience into the classroom, where students can benefit from that experience. Elrich sees it as a win for displaced workers and children. 'I know the people coming from federal agencies, nonprofits and tech fields have a lot to offer,' he said. 'They understand systems, communication and they understand real-world problem-solving. These skills can absolutely enrich the learning experience for our students.' Montgomery College says the funding will help support as many as 18 people who are looking to transition into full-time teaching. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Montgomery College launches cybersecurity training program with statewide initiative
ROCKVILLE, Md. ()– Montgomery College is joining a statewide effort to strengthen Maryland's cybersecurity workforce. The college will hold a ribbon-cutting event Wednesday to mark the launch of its participation in the Maryland Cyber Workforce Accelerator (CWA) program. MoCo Minute | Montgomery County announces $2.8 billion investment for East County's Viva White Oak Established in 2024 by the Maryland Association of Community Colleges and BCR Cyber, the CWA program provides cyber ranges—advanced simulation systems that mimic real-world cyberattacks—to all 16 of the state's community colleges. Montgomery College students will now have access to the BCR Cyber Series 3000 Cyber Range, allowing them to train in a high-tech environment designed to build real-time cybersecurity skills. The new system enables both students and faculty to simulate cyber incidents, respond to threats and gain hands-on experience in network defense and digital forensics. The training is expected to enhance curriculum development and prepare students for high-demand careers in information technology and cybersecurity. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Kathleen Ann Rhoad Kathleen Ann Rhoad passed away peacefully
Feb. 28—Kathleen Ann Rhoad Kathleen Ann Rhoad passed away peacefully on February 11, just weeks before her 80th birthday, in her beloved home in Albuquerque, NM. She was predeceased by her parents, Bertha Lorraine Heistand Rhoad and Earl Elias Rhoad, and survived by her brother, Thomas Rhoad (Maryanne), Nephew Gregory Rhoad, Niece Alison Rhoad, Great-Grandniece and nephew Madison and Ethan Rhoad, Nephew Zachary Rhoad (Crystal), and Niece Stacey Swain (Randy). She grew up in Mt. Joy and Palmyra, PA, and Baltimore, MD. Kathleen attended Bridgewater College in Virginia where she studied Psychology. She studied abroad in Germany, which likely sparked her love of world travel. Her career as a college student career counselor began at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD. She spent 30 years working at Broward College in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, until her retirement, then moved to Albuquerque, NM, a place she visited many times and dreamed of living out her final years. In addition to her career, she owned and operated, with her parents, a Bed and Breakfast The Retreat at Buffalo Run in West Virginia. Kathleen was an avid hiker, birder, photographer, cook, baker, and gardener. She led many hikes in every place she lived and relished hosting family and friends in her home and guiding them while pointing out local fauna and flora and giving history lessons. She had a passion for genealogy and attended the Rhoad(s) Family Reunion yearly in Pennsylvania where she cultivated her connections to her vast extended family members. Kathleen enjoyed tennis and skiing when she visited her condo in Snowshoe, WV. Kathleen had a lifelong love of the Southwest and the Native American culture and history. She had a love of her own familial history but held a deep respect for those who were here first. A service will be held on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 11:00 am in the Memorial Hall, followed by a light lunch at First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque, 3701 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87110. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to the American Indian College Fund or First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque.
