Thomas College launches education program to address Maine’s teacher shortage

File Photo / Courtesy of Thomas College Thomas College is a career-focused private college founded in 1864. It offers programs in the arts and sciences, business and education.

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By Alexis Wells

Thomas College has launched Thomas Teaching Cooperative, a new residency program from the Lunder School of Education, that aims to prepare the next generation of educators while addressing Maine’s critical teacher shortage.

The four-year, earn-while-you-learn model begins with two years of immersive, face-to-face coursework on Thomas College’s Waterville campus, including studies in psychology, child development and education. In their third and fourth years, students transition into paid roles in Maine schools while completing their degrees in a flexible, blended format.

“At a time when schools across Maine are struggling to fill classrooms with qualified, long-term educators, the Thomas Teaching Cooperative offers a proactive and sustainable solution,” said Katie Rybakova, chair of the Lunder School of Education. “We’re not just preparing future teachers — we’re putting them into schools, with mentorship and support, while they learn.”

The program is open to both first-time college students and transfer students. Students are expected to go through the hiring process and must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average to get in and throughout the program.

Students who have completed the program will graduate with a full year of classroom experience, a professional portfolio, personalized mentorship from educators and less student debt.

Thomas College is a career-focused private college founded in 1864. It offers programs in the arts and sciences, business and education.

Among the largest colleges and universities in Maine, Thomas College was ranked No. 17 in the 2025 Mainebiz Book of Lists, based on full-time undergraduate enrollment of 652 in fall 2024.