The Changing Face of Teacher Preparation: How Teachers of Tomorrow Is Setting a New Standard

Across the country, school districts are facing a challenge unlike anything seen before: a historic teacher shortage. The Learning Policy Institute’s 2025 report estimates that approximately 411,000 positions nationwide are either unfilled or filled by educators without full certification — the equivalent of one in every eight teaching roles¹. High-need areas like special education, math, and science are especially hard hit.

The reality is clear. Fewer young people are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in teaching, and the gap between the number of certified teachers and the number of classrooms that need them continues to grow.

Rethinking Teacher Preparation

To meet the moment, school systems are reexamining how teachers are certified, trained, and supported. One proven pathway is the alternative teacher certification model, which allows individuals with a bachelor’s degree in another field to become certified through a structured, accredited program. This model opens the door for career changers to bring their skills, life experience, and passion into the classroom — without lowering the bar for quality.

The Rise of a New Leader in Teacher Preparation

Among the organizations driving this change, Teachers of Tomorrow (ToT) stands out. As one of the nation’s largest and most respected alternative certification programs, ToT has long been known for opening doors into teaching. Under the leadership of Dr. Heath Morrison, National Superintendent of the Year, and with the backing of The Rise Fund, a global leader in impact investing, ToT is redefining what effective teacher preparation looks like today.

Rebuilding for Today’s Educators

ToT’s program has been redesigned to reflect current best practices in online learning, pedagogy, and classroom management — while keeping flexibility at its core. The curriculum is built for working adults, making it possible to move toward certification while balancing career and family responsibilities.

Every candidate is paired with a seasoned field supervisor — a veteran educator who provides personalized coaching in lesson planning, classroom culture, and behavior management. This mentorship ensures candidates are truly “classroom ready” before they take on their own students.

Industry-Leading Candidate Support

One of the most significant changes under Dr. Morrison’s leadership is a major expansion of candidate support:

• Live support hours extended until 7 p.m. on weekdays
• Weekly live office hours with instructors for real-time Q&A
• 24/7 AI chat and after-hours AI voice support

Unlike many programs that end live support at 5 p.m. — and close even earlier on Fridays — ToT’s approach reflects the reality of modern teacher candidates, many of whom are balancing full-time work and family life while pursuing certification.

Results That Make a Difference

Since its founding, Teachers of Tomorrow has certified more than 85,000 teachers nationwide. In Texas alone, ToT has produced 43% of all newly certified teachers over the past five years².

Data from the Texas Education Agency confirms that ToT leads the state’s largest educator preparation programs in employment rates and 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year teacher retention rates — critical measures of program quality and impact on districts³.

Today, more than 3,100 school districts across the U.S. hire ToT-certified teachers, making the program one of the most trusted sources for classroom-ready educators⁴.

“Teaching is truly the ‘Role of a Lifetime,’ and the impact of a single educator is immeasurable. On average, a teacher influences over 3,000 students throughout their career. That’s why we must ensure every teacher enters the classroom fully prepared,” said Dr. Morrison.

A Model for the Future

Teachers of Tomorrow is proving that alternative certification can be both rigorous and accessible, offering a blueprint for how programs across the country can respond to today’s teacher shortages while maintaining the highest standards.

With a renewed focus on candidate success, strong partnerships with districts, and a commitment to keeping great teachers in the classroom, ToT is setting a new standard for what teacher preparation can — and should — be.

4 Data on file