Florida increases funding for teacher apprenticeship program with $1.6 million investment

Florida has announced an additional $1.6 million investment in its teacher workforce, bringing the total funding for the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Teacher Grant (PCOG GYO) program to $15 million. The announcement was made by Anastasios Kamoutsas, Florida’s Commissioner of Education.

The PCOG GYO program offers a no-cost apprenticeship route into teaching, emphasizing practical classroom experience under the mentorship of experienced educators. The goal is to provide aspiring teachers with hands-on training rather than traditional academic coursework.

“When we invest in future educators, we invest in the success of every classroom across Florida,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “The Grow Your Own Teacher Grant supports aspiring teachers on their path to enter the profession, ensuring Florida schools have teachers that are well prepared and committed to helping students succeed.”

The expanded grant funding for 2025-26 will go toward institutions participating in the program. This effort builds on Governor Ron DeSantis’ launch of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program through HB 1035 in 2023, which aims to attract and retain high-quality teachers throughout the state.

Further information about the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Program can be found at www.fldoe.org/pathwaysgrant.