In Partnership with

Aspiring Teachers Accelerator

Address Shortages. Retain Talent. Fuel Student Success.

A Strategic, Sustainable Solution for Districts Facing Teacher Shortages

The Aspiring Teachers Accelerator offers districts a strategic, sustainable solution to the teacher shortage by turning commitment into credentials—preparing the paraprofessionals and provisionally-certified staff already serving in schools into teachers in elementary and special education. 
‍
This flexible, job-embedded program allows aspiring educators to earn a degree and prepare for their certification while continuing to support students, minimizing disruption and maximizing retention. When teachers are well-prepared and rooted in the communities they serve, students thrive—experiencing stronger academic outcomes, lower dropout rates, and increased long-term earning potential. By investing in the talent already within your schools, the Aspiring Teachers Accelerator transforms today’s workforce into tomorrow’s teacher pipeline—strengthening classrooms, careers, and communities.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

District Benefits

Why the Accelerator

The Accelerator Difference

Learning Outcomes

Program Pathways

Eligibility

The Accelerator Program Difference

About St. Francis College

About New Leaders

A black background with a white circle in the middle. - New Leaders Images

District Benefits at a Glance

Develop and Retain Talent

Workforce Stability

Minimal Disruption

Financially Sustainable

A woman with a smile on her face is holding a book. - New Leaders Images

A man sitting at a table with a laptop and a blue pen. - New Leaders Images

A man wearing a blue shirt and tie pointing at a white board with math problems. - New Leaders Images

Why the Accelerator

We partner with school systems to build a strong and sustainable teacher pipeline through:

‍

Retaining talented paraprofessionals and support staff already serving your students
Reducing staff disruptions by keeping participants in their current roles while they earn their certifications
Minimizing costs through alignment with state and federal grants, subsidies, and financial aid
Strengthening school communities with teachers who reflect and understand the students they serve

Become a Partner

The Accelerator Difference

Flexible, Job-Embedded Learning

Staff stay in their roles while completing coursework and student teaching in district-approved placements. This reduces disruption and reinforces stability in your schools.

Real Classroom Experience, Real Impact

Participants build confidence and instructional skills in familiar environments—supporting students while advancing professionally.

Minimal Investment, Lasting Returns

Thanks to state and federal grants, subsidies, and financial aid, the program is cost-effective for districts and low-to-no-cost for participants. You can strengthen your workforce without overextending your budget.

A blue circle with a graduation cap in it. - New Leaders Images

Designed for Balance

With a flexible, fully online format, The Aspiring Teachers Accelerator empowers St. Francis College students to pursue their degree and certification while managing work, family, and life.

A blue circle with a headset in it. - New Leaders Images

When Educators Stay, Students Thrive

A supported, stable teaching workforce. leads to stronger student-teacher relationships, fewer disruptions, and improved outcomes—including higher academic achievement and increased long-term success.

Take the next step in filling your teacher pipeline

Become a Partner

A man in a blue shirt and tie pointing at a white board. - New Leaders Images

A man teaching a young boy how to write. - New Leaders Images

A man in a green sweater is holding a tablet. - New Leaders Images

Learning Outcomes

We believe teachers are powerful change-makers who help every student realize their full potential. In our program, participants will build the skills, mindset, and confidence to:

Create engaging lesson plans that are grounded in proven, evidence-based teaching strategies.

Help every student grow and succeed, including those who need extra support, by using practices that accelerate learning.

Use data to improve their teaching, reflecting on what’s working and making smart adjustments to support student progress.

Build a positive, inclusive classroom, using effective strategies to support behavior and keep learning on track.

Establish strong routines and clear expectations so that their classroom runs smoothly and students stay focused.

Work closely with fellow educators to ensure every student receives the support they need.

Recognize and build on the strengths of students, their families, and their communities.

Become a Partner

Accelerator Program Pathways

We offer two tailored degree pathways to match participants background and goals:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree in Childhood Education - Students with Disabilities + Dual Initial Teacher Certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Teaching Students with Disabilities (All Grades)

For those without a degree. Earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Childhood Education - Students with Disabilities plus a dual initial teacher certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6) and Teaching Students with Disabilities (All Grades) from St. Francis College. Participants complete up to 138 credits, including coursework in general education, core content, special education and professional studies. Participants can apply up to 98 credit hours of previously earned college credits toward their degree, helping them save time and reduce costs as they work toward certification.

Master of Science (MS) Degree in Education - Special Education + Initial Teacher Certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities (All Grades)

For those with a bachelor’s degree. Participants earn a Master of Science (MS) degree in Education - Special Education plus an initial teacher certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities (All Grades) from St. Francis College. Complete up to 36 credits, including coursework designed to provide the critical skills through fieldwork experience and meaningful hands-on opportunities to apply theory to practice. Participants in this program may also have the opportunity to earn credit for an additional certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6).

Master of Science (MS) Degree in Education - Special Education + Initial Teacher Certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities (All Grades)
* Participants may have an opportunity to earn credit for an additional certification in Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)

Credit Hours

Up to 138 credit hours
(Up to 98 credit hours of transfer credit may be accepted towards your bachelor’s degree)

Up to 36 credit hours

Tuition

$3,300 per semester

$14,000 total program cost

Eligibility

To be eligible for The Aspiring Teachers Accelerator, applicants must:

Reside in New York State

Be able to commit to completing at least 6 credits every semester

Have a high school diploma or equivalent

Be motivated to pursue a full-time teaching role

No previous teaching experience is required, and participants do not need an associate’s degree to apply. Transfer credits and CLEP exams may apply toward program completion.

A woman is teaching a group of children in a classroom. - New Leaders Images

A man and a boy are smiling and looking at a tablet computer. - New Leaders Images

A woman with glasses is teaching a group of children.

A woman reads a book to a group of children. - New Leaders Images

A woman holding a book in front of a bookshelf. - New Leaders Images

A woman in a white shirt holding a book. - New Leaders Images

The Accelerator Program Difference

What makes the Aspiring Teachers Accelerator unique?

It gives participants the chance to earn a dual online teaching certification without having to pause their career or uproot your life.

The program honors what participants already know—their work experience, prior education, and lived expertise—making it unlike most teaching certification programs

Participants receive mentorship, personalized guidance, and real-time classroom experience—all in a format that puts them in control of their learning journey.

The Aspiring Teachers Accelerator at St. Francis College prepares participants for immediate success in the classroom and long-term career growth.

Valuing Experience

Students earn credit for what they already know through assessments.

Supporting Working Adults

Designed for people with jobs, families, and real-life responsibilities.

Prioritizing Results

Prepares participants for licensure, employment, and long-term success.

About St. Francis College

St. Francis College is an institution of higher education rooted in a commitment to academic excellence, compassionate hospitality, and ethical leadership. Inspired by St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi, and founded by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, the College prepares students to serve and thrive in a global community and help shape a just society.

Our academic programs are student-customized in an environment that connects, coordinates, and electrifies our entire community. The “student-first” approach that sustains this vibrant culture takes shape in our honors program, our centers for excellence, learning and leadership, our opportunity programs, clubs and student organizations, internships and volunteer opportunities, tutoring services, interfaith support, and more. It is our commitment that a liberal arts education is foundational and enhances student success in any major or career path.

St. Francis College serves over 4,000 students from the five boroughs of New York City, although their backgrounds represent nearly 80 countries and 40-plus languages. SFC plays a vital role in helping students find their place as leaders and impactful members in their fields and community just as the Franciscan Brothers envisioned over 165 years ago.

Recognized as a Hispanic Serving Institution and ranked among the top U.S. colleges for social mobility, SFC is a mission-aligned partner in preparing diverse, community-rooted educators for today’s classrooms.

Together, New Leaders and SFC deliver a flexible, high-quality teaching certification program that leads to a dual online teaching certification—equipping participants to thrive as full-time educators and make an impact where it matters most.

SFC Education Program

‍The mission of the teacher preparation programs at St. Francis College is to equip candidates with the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to effectively teach all students. Through an academically relevant curriculum, and in a welcoming and affirming environment, the department supports its candidates to embrace an ethic of care and a sustaining pedagogy in their instructional approach and practice. The program of study also embodies a deep commitment to the Franciscan ideals of collegiality, compassion, human dignity, and service to others. Graduates of the teacher preparation programs will enjoy careers in teaching and school leadership in New York City and beyond. St. Francis College’s teacher preparation programs are fully accredited by the Association for the Advancement of Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), demonstrating that the programs have participated in rigorous self-study and peer review to ensure ongoing quality across the P-12 educational system.

St. Francis College and New Leaders have partnered to provide a seamless, supportive program to a degree and teaching certification. St. Francis College ensures academic excellence through college administration, instructional faculty, and degree conferral, while New Leaders powers the program’s design, recruitment, and student coaching. This collaboration meets aspiring teachers where they are, values what they already know, and equips them with the tools, mentorship, and real-world experience they need to thrive in today’s classrooms. It’s a powerful way to grow a skilled, committed teacher pipeline in New York.

Leadership Statement from SFC President Tim Cecere
‍I am both grateful and excited to represent St. Francis College in carrying the banner of progress and innovation in preparing the next generation of Educators responsible for planting the foundational seeds of life-long learning. Our approach includes innovative pathways like competency-based education (CBE) for teacher education while at the same time seamlessly inviting those who for time in memoriam have been denied the same traditional avenue to realize their dreams. Under our mantra of Better, Faster, Fairer, St. Francis College will be the one creating the new.

About New Leaders

New Leaders is a national nonprofit that has prepared over 8,000 transformational school leaders across the country. For more than 25 years, New Leaders has equipped educators to be powerful and positive forces for change. We bring two decades of experience providing best-in-class training—for teachers, principals, and their supervisors—to accelerate learning for every student in every classroom, every year.

Through initiatives like the Aspiring Teachers Accelerator, New Leaders continues its commitment to developing instructional talent that reflects and strengthens the school communities we serve. Our teaching certification program is trusted by districts and built in partnership with accredited universities to meet real classroom needs.

A man in a blue jacket and orange shirt writing on a whiteboard. - New Leaders Images

A woman and a boy are sitting at a table with a laptop. - New Leaders Images

A man in a blue shirt smiles at the camera. - New Leaders Images

Take the Next Step to Build your Teacher Pipeline Today.

Become a Partner

Want to Learn More?

If the Aspiring Teachers Accelerator sound like a good fit for your district or if you would like to learn more about the Accelerator, please don't hesitate to contact us.

If you are ready to get started, book a meeting and we will help you take the next step in building your teacher pipeline today.