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Connecticut Establishes Teacher Diversity Program

John Locher
/
AP

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced Friday that the state Department of Education has partnered up with Central Connecticut State University to introduce an initiative that will help build a pipeline of college students to get into K-12 classrooms.

The NextGen Educators program helps college students from CCSU seeking education degrees gain experience and mentorship in the classrooms.

Lamont said this initiative will “greatly enhance the diversity” of teachers in the state’s school systems. The program will place a special emphasis on attracting candidates from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona said the program will help students “gain experiential learning” as they become teachers, and help retain educators in the state.

The COVID-19 pandemic has stressed schools’ ability to attract substitute teachers and temporary educators for workers on leave.