An innovative approach to teacher certification
By Jen Gherardi
The shortage of certified special education teachers continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing schools across the United States. Many general education public school teachers would like to take on the important responsibility of teaching students with disabilities. But access to the specialized training and support that is crucial to providing these students with the education they deserve can be a challenge, both economically and logistically.
Teachers are the backbone of student success, and the current shortage underscores the urgent need to equip educators with the resources, professional development and support they deserve. With the right preparation, ongoing mentorship and access to specialized tools, teachers can be even more effective in helping students reach their full potential. However, the challenge of filling special education positions with well-prepared educators continues to be a significant hurdle.
The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports that in the 2024-25 school year, 74% of elementary and middle schools had difficulty filling a special education teaching vacancy with a fully certified teacher. This problem is especially evident in rural districts, urban schools and low-income communities, where recruiting and retaining teachers is a major challenge.
New Jersey is experiencing similar difficulties. The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has highlighted a growing gap between the number of certified special education teachers and the rising demand for them, particularly in areas such as emotional disabilities, learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorders. As a result, many districts are relying on emergency certifications and out-of-field teachers, which leads to larger class sizes, heavier workloads for educators and less individualized attention for students.
A recent report by the New Jersey Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (NJACTE) projects that New Jersey will need 2,500 additional special education teachers over the next five years. However, meeting this demand has proven difficult due to high attrition rates and the lack of specialized training opportunities for teachers.
A flexible, low-cost path to certification
One solution to this growing issue is the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning’s (NJCTL) teacher of students with disabilities add-on endorsement program. Launched in October 2024, this program provides currently certified teachers in New Jersey with the specialized training they need to earn a teacher of students with disabilities endorsement. The program is fully online and asynchronous and is structured to allow teachers to continue working while completing coursework at their own pace.
This 24-credit program is designed to be affordable, with the full cost of tuition set at $5,400—significantly lower than traditional graduate programs. For NJEA members, the price is reduced by 20% to $4,320. By offering a high-quality, cost-effective pathway to certification, the teacher of students with disabilities program is providing teachers with an opportunity to enhance their skills and qualifications without sacrificing their full-time teaching responsibilities.
“Recruiting special education teachers is a huge challenge in New Jersey, which negatively impacts our students who rely on certified teachers to address their unique needs, comments Dr. Patricia Clark-Jeter, director of Student Related Services at Essex County Schools of Technology. “We desperately need more accessible pathways to certification. NJCTL has done just that, adding a flexible, low-cost option to prepare teachers to fill this critical need.”
Success stories from teachers enrolling in the program
In just a few short months, NJCTL has already enrolled over 200 New Jersey teachers. Susan Prime, a Language Learning Disabled (LLD) teacher at Joseph T. Donohue Elementary in Barnegat, NJ, shared her experience.
“I had been feeling stuck in my career for a while, unsure of where to go next,” Prime says. “This program gave me the change I needed—it reignited my passion for teaching and opened up so many new opportunities. At first, I was worried about financing my education since I’d just paid off my college loans, but this program is cost-effective and flexible. It was exactly what I needed to move forward in my career without the stress.”
Melissa Battersby, a sixth-grade math and science teacher at Moorestown Township Public Schools, enrolled in the program to better support the diverse needs of her students.
“Even if I don’t have students formally labeled as special education, there’s still a huge variety of needs in my classroom,” Battersby explains. “Having this knowledge is crucial if I’m going to be the best teacher I can be for all of my students.”
Battersby has already found NJCTL’s program transformative in her teaching practice.
“I can’t believe how much I’m learning and how much of it immediately comes up in IEP meetings,” says Battersby. “Before, I’d sit in those meetings and try to keep up with the data and terminology, but now I get it! I can better understand the behaviors, patterns and how they connect to the supports I’m already implementing in the classroom.”
Battersby also pointed out that the knowledge she’s gained isn’t just for special education teachers—it’s for everyone.
“The first course I took on neurodivergent students, for example, has completely changed how I communicate with parents,” Battersby says. “I used to send emails about behavior or concerns, but now I’ve got a much better understanding on how to frame things. It’s not just about what I say, it’s about how I say it. That kind of communication is key for any teacher, not just special ed.”
Tara Pisano, a teacher in the Roselle Park School District, agrees.
“This program has had a significant positive impact on my teaching,” Pisano says. “It’s given me new strategies and insights into how to better support diverse learners and differentiate instruction in ways I hadn’t considered before. The knowledge I’ve gained has already improved my classroom dynamics, making my lessons more inclusive and effective. The flexibility of the online format has been a huge advantage, allowing me to learn at my own pace and fit the coursework around my busy schedule.
Pisano encourages other educators to consider the NJCTL’s teacher of students with disabilities endorsement program.
“If you’re on the fence about enrolling, I’d say it’s absolutely worth it,” Pisano says. “It’s not just about theory; the program provides practical tools that you can immediately apply to your teaching, and the support from instructors has been invaluable.”
Moving forward
The growing success of programs like NJCTL provides hope for addressing the special education teacher shortage in New Jersey. By offering teachers a flexible, affordable and accessible way to gain the necessary expertise, these programs are playing a vital role in filling the gaps and ensuring that students with disabilities receive the education and support they deserve.
As more teachers take advantage of these opportunities, the long-term benefits for New Jersey’s schools and students will be profound. With the right preparation and support, educators will be better equipped to meet the diverse needs of their students. Together, we can work to address the shortage of special education teachers and create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for all.
Learn more at njctl.org/tosd.
The New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL) was founded by NJEA as a nonprofit charitable organization in 2007. NJCTL is the only graduate school of education founded and supported by a union of public school employees. Its mission is to empower communities of educators and families to lead school improvement so that all students have access to a high-quality education.
NJCTL offers certification and master’s degree programs for current teachers to earn endorsements in additional content areas, and alternate route programs for prospective teachers. NJCTL is the #1 producer of new physics teachers in the U.S.
NJCTL’s program is online, asynchronous and self-paced. That provides the opportunity for members to begin at any time and advance at their own pace. The cost is $225 per credit. Through a partnership with NJEA, members receive a 20% discount. For NJEA members, the cost of the 24-credit graduate special education program described in this article is $4,320.
All NJCTL faculty are experienced classroom teachers.
Jen Gherardi manages marketing and communications for NJCTL and has extensive experience supporting education and social justice initiatives. She is passionate about special education and excited to help expand access to NJCTL’s endorsement programs for teachers.