Frequently Asked Questions

What is Multnomah Educators Rising?

Multnomah Educators Rising (MER) builds anti-racist career pathways and partnerships to activate the next generation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color educators and transform  schools into gardens of love, joy, and justice for every learner. We provide support, advocacy, and funding to help diverse members of our community earn degrees, become licensed, and secure employment  in local school districts as teachers, counselors, social workers, or other licensed school professionals. 

Am I eligible for the program?

To be eligible, individuals must:

• Live or work in Multnomah County and self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC).
• Express a commitment to working in a Multnomah County school district upon completing your degree and/or license.
• Stay in regular contact with your designated MER staff member for support, advocacy, and guidance.

What resources does MER provide?

• One-on-one support from dedicated program staff to help you identify the education career path that’s right for you
• Scholarship application support plus direct financial assistance for tuition, books & fees
• Small, supportive learning communities with other BIPOC rising educators
• Leadership development programming to prepare you to teach and lead for equity and social justice
• Partnerships with colleges and universities to provide licensure programs built for working adults, including online, evening, and weekend classes
• Guaranteed interviews and preferred hiring with local school districts

How much money can I get through MER for my degree program?

Our goal is that you have no out-of-pocket costs for tuition, books, and fees. MER staff will help you apply for and secure a range of grants and scholarships. Additionally, MER will provide up to $5,000 per year to go toward any tuition, books, or fees not covered by other grants and scholarships. MER will also fully cover the cost of tuition, books, and fees at Portland Community College for participants who do not yet have an Associate’s degree or who need to complete prerequisites before transferring to a Bachelor’s degree program. Participants are NOT expected to take loans of any kind prior to accessing MER funds. MER funds are subject to the ongoing availability of grants. 

What kind of degrees are available through MER?

Based on your current education level, MER will support you to earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and secure a teaching license for elementary, secondary, Special Education, English as a Second Language, and other teaching specializations. MER can also support you to earn a degree and license to be a school counselor, school social worker, school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and physical/occupational therapist. MER staff will help you identify the most direct, efficient, and affordable degree pathway. Participants who do not yet have a degree will complete their Associate’s and any required prerequisites at Portland Community College and then transfer to a Bachelor’s degree program at one of our partner universities. Participants who already hold a Bachelor’s degree will pursue a Master’s degree or license-only program through one of our partner universities. Refer to the MER Degree & Licensure Program Info Sheet for more information.

I’m interested in becoming a principal. Is MER for me?

Yes! MER has a special partnership with George Fox University to provide a principal license for local Black, Indigenous, and People of Color educators with no cost for eligible participants. Click here to learn more about MESD-George Fox Principal License Program. 

I need to continue working while I take classes. Is the program set up to allow me to do that?

Yes. All of MER’s degree pathways are designed for working adults, including online, evening, and weekend classes. 

During full-time student teaching will I lose my income?

Near the end of your teaching degree program, you will be required to serve as a full-time student teacher for at least 15 weeks. This often requires that you take a leave of absence from your employment which can leave you without income. MER does not have funds to provide you with ongoing income during this period. However, if you currently work for a school district, your district may have options that allow you to maintain some or all of your income during this period. You should reach out to your district’s HR office or lead contact for educator pathways. MER can help connect you with the right people at your district.

What do I have to do in order to stay eligible once I’m admitted to the program?

Participants must stay in regular communication with their designated MER staff person for support, advocacy, and guidance to ensure that they are making steady progress toward their degree. Participants also must remain in good academic standing at their college or university.

What if I enroll in the program but change my mind and decide I don’t want to become an educator?

We understand that life happens and career goals can change. That said, MER’s grant funds are limited and we want to help as many people as possible to become licensed educators and help build a stronger, more diverse school workforce. So we ask that you carefully consider your career goals before applying for MER. You should have a sincere goal of becoming a licensed teacher or other school professional. If you decide that an education career is not for you at any point, we ask that you let us know as soon as possible so that we can make our resources available to other individuals.

Will I have a guaranteed job waiting for me after I graduate?

Our schools need skilled, diverse, licensed educators – and after completing your program, that will be YOU! Each districts’ hiring processes and requirements vary somewhat and all individuals must successfully interview before receiving a job offer. MER staff will work with you to ensure that you secure interviews in Multnomah County districts and we will advocate for you to be hired and placed into supportive school settings that will set you up to succeed in your new position.

When does the program start?

Start dates vary throughout the year based on the degree you choose to pursue. For individuals who do not yet have an Associates degree or who need prerequisites before entering a Bachelors program, MER can support you to enroll in courses at PCC as early as the very next term after you join MER.

Who runs the MER program?

Multnomah Educators Rising is rooted in partnerships. Multnomah Education Service District coordinates the program, in close collaboration with Portland Community College. We partner closely with Multnomah County school districts; community organizations including the Immigrant & Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), Latino Network, Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), and the Oregon Alliance of Black School Educators (ORABSE); and higher education institutions including George Fox University, Lewis & Clark College, Pacific University, Portland Community College, Portland State University, and Warner Pacific University. Our funding comes from a range of public and private sources including the Oregon Department of Education, local school districts, higher education institutions, private philanthropic foundations, and corporate sponsors.