On-the-Job Degrees to Tackle Virginia’s Teacher Vacancy Challenges

Virginia Wesleyan University is partnering with school districts across the state of Virginia to develop sustainable talent pipelines while advancing and retaining educators through an on-the-job, degree-based instructional model, in partnership with BloomBoard. Learn more about the work we’re doing around teacher apprenticeships and find out how we can support your district in addressing your teacher shortage.

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See what program candidates have to say about about the program and how it changed their lives.

Candidate Stories


Hear BloomBoard President, Jason Lange, discuss how districts are reinventing teacher preparation.

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Talk directly with a BloomBoard representative to learn more about our solutions.

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Barry University

BloomBoard & Virginia Wesleyan University

Virginia Wesleyan University has partnered with BloomBoard to support school districts in addressing their teacher shortages through a new on-the-job degree program that enables school paraprofessionals and staff to earn their teaching credentials while continuing to work. The initial program will focus on high-need teaching areas, offering a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education.

Why Districts Are Choosing On-the-Job Pathways

✅ Build Your Own Pipeline by investing in trusted, community-rooted staff
✅ Retain Talent by creating clear, supported pathways for advancement
✅ Fill High-Need Roles—especially in areas like special education
✅ Reduce Hiring Costs by developing educators from within
✅ Access Flexible Funding through workforce boards and state support

A Few of Our Virginia Partners…

Hernando County Schools

Loudoun County Public Schools

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Richmond Public School District

The School District of Desoto County

Frederick County Public Schools

About BloomBoard

Watch this brief video to learn more about BloomBoard and how we support school districts with educator pipeline, advancement, and retention solutions.

→ To learn more, contact Lisa Gantt, Virginia Account Representative at lisa.gantt@bloomboard.com.

BloomBoard’s Talent Development Solutions

Build your talent pipeline while advancing and retaining your educators.

No matter where your educators are on their journey, we have a solution for their economic and professional advancement. In Virginia, we currently offer:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education (pre-K–6)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Special Education (K-12)

Contact us to learn more about how we can support your district.

Get in touch

What District Leaders Are Saying

I will always have candidates in the program. I have more people applying for positions in my district because of this program. My line of people is waiting and as my board sees more and more success, they’re telling me to sign up more. It’s a game changer.

Vickie Maruniak

Superintendent, Triad Local School District (OH)
We’ve received over 150 applicants for the program with zero advertising. Our candidates have become our best recruiters. When a program attracts this many applicants on its own, without needing to be sold, it’s clear that we’re on the right track.

Ray Pinder

Superintendent, Hernando County School District (FL)

Informational Resources

Gen Z teacher smiling in front of the classroom.

The New Playbook for Recruiting & Retaining Gen Z Teachers

In this short guide based on current research on the preferences and values of Gen Z, you’ll find actionable strategies school districts can implement to attract and retain the next generation of educators.
TSG Advisors Webinar

Preparing Teachers Who Stay: Residency-Based Innovation

In this webinar Jason Lange, President and Founder of BloomBoard, and Jill Harvieux Pitner, Chief Growth Officer of National Center for Teacher Residencies, discuss the transformative impact of teacher residency programs.
Teacher Apprenticeship

Teacher Apprenticeship: A New Model for Innovative Districts to Fill Classroom Vacancies

Listen in for a conversation with district leaders who are bringing teacher apprenticeship-based programs into their districts to build skills, remove traditional barriers to advancement and retention, and become employers of choice

Learn More

If you’d like to learn more about Virginia Wesleyan University’s on-the-job degree programs powered by BloomBoard, complete the form below and we’ll be in touch!