Teacher Academy of Maryland hosts Summer Leadership Institute at TU

Innovative TU program works with high schoolers who want to become educators.

The Teacher Academy of Maryland, which is hosted at Towson University, offers high school students a chance to get an early start towards a career as an educator.
The Teacher Academy of Maryland, which is hosted at Towson University, offers high school students a chance to get an early start towards a career as an educator.

Towson University’s College of Education (COE) is the largest producer of teachers in the state of Maryland. That's just another reason why COE is working with Maryland high schools to nurture the future generation of educators through the TU-hosted Teacher Academy of Maryland (TAM).

TAM is a Career and Technology Education program of study that seeks to address the persistent teacher shortage challenge by creating a pipeline of candidates from middle to high school students. The program is also sponsored by the Maryland State Department of Education.

To assist the next generation of educators, TAM offers a complete four-course sequence for high schoolers, which is taught by educators from their own school systems.

From July 11 through 22, TAM and Towson University hosted teachers from 20 Maryland school systems at its annual Teacher Academy of Maryland Summer Leadership Institute. During the two weeks, educators get professional training on how to teach the four courses offered by TAM in their school systems.

“It’s an important program in our schools that gets the younger generation thinking about a career early on,” said Molly Mee, coordinator of TAM and chair of Towson University’s Department of Secondary and Middle School Education. “It trains them early and allows them to major in education with a foundation for their college career and beyond.”

TAM courses are currently offered in 20 school systems across the state: Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Calvert County, Caroline County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Charles County, Dorchester County, Frederick County, Harford County, Howard County, Kent County, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, St. Mary’s County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Washington County. Wicomico County and Worcester County.

High school students who complete the four-course TAM sequence will be qualified to become a paraprofessional in these schools. Those who would like to continue their education will receive a $1,000 yearly scholarship, and three credit hours at Towson University, Coppin State University, Stevenson University, St. Mary’s College of Maryland and Salisbury University.

Students who are already at a university, and have completed the TAM courses, are also eligible for the scholarship. Students who are  full-time education majors, and have completed TAM courses, can contact for more information.