Brookdale Community College is proud to announce a GAINS Grant–funded initiative that expands tuition-free certification coursework for employed provisional teachers across New Jersey, strengthening pathways into K–12 and Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms and supporting the future of education statewide.
Funded through the FY25 Round 2 Growing Apprenticeship in Non-Traditional Sectors (GAINS) Grant, the initiative is administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and supports innovative, district-based apprenticeship models that promote skills development, educational attainment, and long-term workforce growth. Brookdale’s GAINS project focuses on K–12 subject-matter and CTE educators, delivered in close partnership with New Jersey school districts.
Through this GAINS-funded pathway, full tuition is covered for a limited cohort of eligible provisional teachers statewide. Participants complete state-required certification coursework while actively teaching as teachers-of-record, accelerating progress toward standard certification and removing financial barriers along the way.
Eligible participants:
- Hold a valid Certificate of Eligibility (CE) issued by the New Jersey Department of Education
- Have completed the required 50-hour Introduction to Teaching course
- Are fully employed as full-time teachers-of-record in a New Jersey school district
- Are enrolled in a district-supported provisional teacher pathway at Brookdale Community College
Certification coursework is offered through Brookdale’s Alternate Route to Teaching programs and delivered fully online through live, instructor-led Zoom classes, supporting provisional educators as they work toward Standard Teacher Certification in their employing districts.
Brookdale’s state-approved and regulated teacher preparation programs are accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation, underscoring the College’s commitment to quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
In addition to the GAINS-supported pathways, Brookdale offers a portfolio of teacher certification and preparation programs for PreK–3, K–6, K–12, and CTE teachers, designed to support educators at every stage of their journey. Together, these programs empower aspiring and current teachers to launch or advance their careers, strengthen student learning, and make a lasting impact in classrooms across New Jersey.
School districts interested in supporting their provisional teachers through this GAINS-funded partnership are encouraged to contact Patricia Kunzman 732-224-1874, to explore participation and collaboration opportunities. For more information about the all the teacher certification and preparation programs, please visit the Brookdale Community College website.