Mercy University partnered with a teacher development company called BloomBoard to address the teacher shortage.

They joined forces to create an easier way to become a highly qualified special education teacher.

Officials said the partnership supports school districts in New York.

The program provides an on-the-job pathway for Mercy's Bachelor of Science in Teaching Students with Disabilities.

It applies to people who have an associate degree and work in a school already.

Interested candidates enroll in the program as part of a cohort that is sponsored by their district.

This allows them to earn their degree while they are working in their classroom.

Eric Martone, the dean of Mercy's School of Education, shared why he thinks the program is so beneficial.

"This places value on experiential learning and it creates a different pathway for these individuals to get certified that removes certain barriers that a traditional pathway might have," Martone said.

School districts interested in participating in the program in the fall or beyond should contact Michelle Licata of BloomBoard at michelle.licata@bloomboard.com