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January 2026
January Update
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The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is hosting an information session about the upcoming FY27 SPED Teacher Pathway Program Grant opportunity. The grant opportunity is anticipated to be posted on January 12, 2026, on MDE's competitive grants opportunity webpage.
MDE has funding available under Minnesota Statutes 2025, section 122A.77, for grants under the SPED Pathway Program to develop trained and licensed Tier 3 or Tier 4 special education teachers.
Grant recipients must prioritize using grant funds to support participants who are employed by the grant recipient (or any joint applicants) as Tier 1 or Tier 2 licensed special education teachers. The funds may also be used to support other employees who wish to become special education teachers or to add additional special education licenses and who demonstrate a willingness to enter the field after completing the program.
The session will be held over Zoom on Thursday, January 15, from 11 a.m. to noon. Register for the SPED Pathway Competitive Grant FY27 Informational Webinar to receive the meeting link. The session will be recorded, and session materials and recording will be shared with those who register for the session.
To request a reasonable accommodation or for assistance with questions, contact Gricel Escobedo-Kingwell (651-582-8778).
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At their November board meeting, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) passed a new resolution that now allows cooperating teachers who host teacher candidates for clinical experiences to receive up to 24 clock hours per semester, with no limitation on the number of clock hours they can earn. This change represents a significant shift from the previous limit, where cooperating teachers could accumulate no more than 30 clock hours in a five-year renewal period for hosting teacher candidates. By removing this cap, the Board aims to better recognize the time, mentorship, and professional expertise cooperating teachers contribute to preparing future educators; particularly those serving in journeyworker or mentor teacher roles.
While this resolution increases the number of clock hours teachers may earn through hosting teacher candidates, all other renewal requirements remain unchanged. Teachers must still fulfill all mandatory components for renewal, and local relicensure committees retain the authority to review and approve clock hour submissions at their discretion.
This change is effective immediately. Cooperating teachers hosting teacher candidates should work with appropriate teacher preparation program to obtain the clock hours earned. Teachers should also consult their local relicensure committee for guidance and final approval of their clock hours.
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Interested in learning more about teacher residencies or RTAP? Already implementing one and looking for advice or collaboration? Join MDE Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Specialist, Emily Busta, for monthly Office Hours dedicated to supporting your work.
These sessions offer an informal space for apprenticeship sponsors, teacher preparation providers, and school districts to discuss current efforts, share ideas, and ask questions about residencies and RTAP. Office hours will be held in a virtual meeting room, making it easy to join the discussion.
Upcoming Residency and RTAP Office Hours:
January 22, 2026, from 9 to 10 a.m.
February 19, 2026, from 11 a.m. to noon
March 12, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m.
April 21, 2026, from 2 to 3 p.m.
May 11, 2026, from 1 to 2 p.m.
Mark your calendars and plan to join the conversation!
Access the virtual meeting room for Residency and RTAP office hours.
Questions about Residency and RTAP Office Hours? Please contact Emily Busta.
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Subscribe to the Principal Leadership Support Newsletter.
Subscribe to the Teacher Development and Evaluation (TDE) and Q Comp newsletter.
Subscribe to the Mentoring and Induction newsletter.
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The Educator Workforce and Development Center is seeking volunteers to serve as grant reviewers for the both the Grow Your Own grant and the SPED Pathway Program competitions.
This review process offers an opportunity to learn about the innovative and purposeful teacher pathway programs happening in Minnesota.
This volunteer role requires about five to eight hours, depending on the number of applications.
Grow Your Own grant readers are needed from approximately January 21 through February 22. SPED Pathway reviewers will be needed from the end of February through March.
If interested in either opportunity and for assistance with questions, please contact Kleber Ortiz for Grow Your Own and Gricel Escobedo-Kingwell for SPED Pathway.
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