Florida’s Commissioner of Education, Anastasios Kamoutsas, has announced an additional $1.6 million investment in the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Teacher Grant (PCOG GYO). This brings the state’s total allocation for the program to $15 million. The funding aims to expand Florida’s no-cost teacher apprenticeship program and strengthen the pipeline for aspiring educators.
The PCOG GYO program is designed to provide a practical, hands-on approach to teacher training. Participants gain real-world classroom experience under the supervision of experienced teachers rather than relying solely on traditional 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.”
This latest round of funding will support institutions participating in the PCOG GYO during the 2025-26 academic year. The expansion aligns with ongoing efforts by Florida officials to attract and retain qualified teachers. These efforts include Governor Ron DeSantis’ establishment of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program through HB 1035 in 2023.
Further information about the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grow Your Own Program can be found at www.fldoe.org/pathwaysgrant.
