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Florida State Senator Proposes Financial Incentive For Teachers

Florida State Sen. Bill Montford, R-Tallahasee, wants to encourage college students to make a career in education. He's proposing creating a scholarship to help pay for teacher certification.

Montford said Florida has a teacher shortage. “For the first time in recent history, we’re having a difficult time attracting a number of qualified applicants, even for elementary school teaching," he said.

Students could receive up to $10,000 a year for two years to help pay for their teacher certification.

“This is a minor degree of assistance for the young people and if it will help, if it will get just a few more teachers, young people into the teaching profession, I will have considered that a success,” he said.

Students could also get a $10,000 bonus for completing their first year of teaching in the state. He says his proposal would complement the state’s Bright Futures scholarship.

Sarah Mueller is a journalist who has worked for media outlets in several states since 2010. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2010 and worked as a print reporter covering local government and politics.