Jaci Grado has dreamed of being an educator since kindergarten, inspired by her work at an after-school program in high school. In Schuyler, Nebraska, where she grew up, the Cargill beef processing plant employs many residents, leading to a population that’s over 70% Hispanic. The area’s schools, like many rural communities, face challenges in hiring qualified teachers.
Grado is completing her sophomore year at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s teacher-training program. As the first in her family to attend college, she benefits from a scholarship aimed at rural students like those from Schuyler, provided by a partnership between UNL and Kansas State University.
“I never would have thought it was possible for me to come to a university like this one,” Grado expressed. “This was kind of like a dream that came true.”
However, her dream is at risk due to federal cuts to teacher-training grants, which have affected programs like the one supporting Grado. In February, the Department of Education eliminated $600 million in grants, citing issues with diversity initiatives. Legal challenges from eight Democrat-led states and teacher organizations argue the cuts are unauthorized and harmful. Although temporary funding was restored, higher courts have upheld the cuts pending further review.
The Department of Education hasn’t disclosed which grants were cut, but over 200 projects targeting teacher recruitment and training were affected. Many programs have had to reduce staff and withdraw scholarships, struggling to stay afloat through emergency funding.
Education experts warn these cuts could worsen teacher shortages in rural areas, forcing schools to hire underqualified staff. Research supports that federal grants have been crucial in addressing teacher vacancies and retention.
“These teacher support programs are vital for rural schools trying to attract the best educators,” said Robert Stafford, executive director of the Kentucky Rural Education Association. “When support is suddenly withdrawn, it can devastate small districts.”
Current strategies to mitigate teacher shortages focus on recruiting local talent. For instance, Project RAÍCES supports students like Grado with scholarships and development opportunities, expecting them to return to their communities as educators.
Bret Schroder, superintendent of Schuyler Community Schools, has resorted to hiring international teachers due to local shortages. “Would I prefer teachers who grew up here, familiar with our community? Absolutely,” he stated.
Programs similar to medical residencies combine teaching roles with training, but many are too new to report outcomes. However, established residency programs have shown success in teacher retention, especially in high-need districts.
At East Carolina University, the edPirate residency program has been disrupted by funding cuts, affecting rural districts reliant on these initiatives to fill teaching roles.
Elizabeth City Superintendent Keith Parker highlighted how federal grants helped reduce vacancies and attract teachers to rural areas. Yet, with funding gone, the district faces significant challenges, including halting school maintenance projects.
Another affected initiative, led by The Innovation Project, aimed to reward rural teachers for student success, but has now canceled expected bonuses due to funding cuts.
Sharon Contreras, TIP’s CEO, expressed the difficulty of laying off staff without severance. “That’s no way to treat this nation’s educators,” she said.
The sudden termination of grants left educators scrambling. Letters from the Department of Education justified the cuts as targeting illegal discrimination, but recipients were confused about the implications.
Ben Seipel, of California State University-Chico, shared uncertainty surrounding future funding for their teacher pipeline program. Facing budget cuts, they reduced professional development plans.
The main goal of the federal grant programs is to train teachers for high-need districts and increase diversity. Legal cases focus on whether the Education Department can terminate congressionally established grants.
The Supreme Court and Court of Appeals have upheld the cuts for now. President Trump’s order to dismantle the Education Department further jeopardizes support for teacher-training programs.
Grado remains determined to finish college despite financial uncertainty, considering work at local packing plants to fund her education. Her commitment to teaching in her hometown remains strong, driven by her love for the community.
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