Exclusive strategic alliance with ESC Regions 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 aims to address teacher shortages, strengthen district partnerships, and accelerate certification pathways across Texas.
Key Takeaways
At-a-glance highlights from the Teachers of Tomorrow–Texas Education Service Centers (ESC) partnership announcement:
- Teachers of Tomorrow (ToT) is launching a strategic initiative with Texas Education Service Centers (ESCs) to expand the pipeline of certified teachers in Texas.
- Participating ESC regions include Regions 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17, strengthening district partnerships and locally supported certification pathways.
- The partnership is designed to help address Texas’ certified teacher shortage, especially in high-need subject areas and rural districts.
- ToT and ESCs will align program support with evolving policy requirements, including HB2 funding opportunities and related certification requirements.
Teachers of Tomorrow (ToT), one of the nation’s largest alternative certification providers and the leading program in Texas, today announced a strategic partnership with multiple Texas Education Service Centers (ESCs), including Regions 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17, to launch a joint teacher certification initiative designed to expand the pipeline of certified educators across the state.
“This partnership will combine ToT’s operational expertise with our ESCs’ deep district relationships, regional support, and community engagement capabilities, to help address the urgent need for more well trained, certified teachers in Texas,” said Kyle Wargo, Executive Director of Region 17 Education Service Center.
Addressing Texas’ Certified Teacher Shortage
Texas continues to face a growing demand for certified teachers, particularly in high-need subject areas and rural districts. This partnership is designed to directly address that gap by creating a scalable, locally supported pathway into the teaching profession.
Under the agreement, both parties will work together to align programs with evolving policy requirements, including HB2 funding opportunities.
“This partnership represents a meaningful step toward solving one of the most urgent challenges in education – ensuring every classroom has a qualified, certified teacher,” said Dr. Heath Morrison, CEO of Teachers of Tomorrow and former Texas Superintendent.
Partnership to Strengthen Local Impact
Each participating ESC will spearhead outreach to their local districts, reinforcing both regional support and a best-in-class program. By combining local trust with proven certification infrastructure, the initiative is designed to:
- Expand access to certification pathways for aspiring teachers
- Help districts understand and meet HB2 requirements for teacher certification
- Increase program visibility and credibility within local communities
- Provide districts with a more reliable, consistent staffing pipeline
Supporting Candidates and Districts Simultaneously
Unlike traditional certification models, this initiative is structured to serve both teacher candidates and school districts:
For Teacher Candidates:
- Flexible, accessible certification pathways
- Award-winning support throughout coursework and classroom placement
- Clear, guided progression toward full certification
- Free access to partner brands’ products, including The Learning Liaisons test prep and SimpleK12 professional development
- The largest teacher alumni network in the state
For School Districts:
- Increased access to qualified teacher candidates
- Stronger alignment between certification and district needs
- Improved retention through better-supported educators
- Access to teacher professional development, test prep, discounted rates, and in-person support
- Support navigating through HB2 and related funding mechanisms
Leveraging Policy to Maximize Outcomes
The partnership will also focus on navigating HB2 and related funding mechanisms, ensuring that both districts and candidates can fully leverage available resources to support certification and hiring.
This coordinated approach is expected to increase both enrollment into certification programs and successful teacher placements, particularly in underserved regions.
To learn more, visit the partnership page for each region:
Region 9
Region 12
Region 14
Region 15
Region 16
Region 17
About Teachers of Tomorrow
Teachers of Tomorrow is the nation’s largest teacher preparation program, offering flexible, affordable, online training pathways for aspiring educators. Since 2005, Teachers of Tomorrow has certified more than 90,000 teachers nationwide and awarded over $500,000 in scholarships. The organization is part of The Rise Fund portfolio, a global impact investment fund focused on driving positive social and environmental change. Learn more at www.teachersoftomorrow.org.
About Texas Education Service Centers
Texas Education Service Centers are regional agencies that provide training, resources, and support to school districts across Texas. ESC Regions 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, and 17 play a critical role in strengthening educational outcomes through local partnerships and professional development.
Learn more about participating regions:
Region 9: https://www.esc9.net/
Region 12: https://www.esc12.net/
Region 14: https://www.esc14.net/
Region 15: https://www.esc15.net/
Region 16: https://www.esc16.net/
Region 17: https://www.esc17.net/
