In today’s teacher shortage crisis, alternative certification programs are critical for getting qualified educators into classrooms quickly. But while many programs advertise fast timelines and low costs, not all deliver the same results — especially when it comes to employment rates, retention, and candidate success on certification exams.
Teachers of Tomorrow (ToT) has emerged as a leader in this space, setting a new standard for quality, support, and measurable outcomes under the leadership of Dr. Heath Morrison and new ownership by
The Rise Fund. One of the keys to that success is the inclusion of premium, high-impact test preparation through The Learning Liaisons (TLL).
The true value of a teacher certification program lies in what happens after candidates complete their coursework:
• Do graduates get hired quickly?
• Do they stay in the profession?
• Do they feel prepared to succeed in the classroom and on state certification exams?
According to Texas Education Agency (TEA) data, ToT has the highest teacher employment rates among the top three educator preparation programs in Texas, along with the highest 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year retention rates¹. This means more ToT graduates not only start teaching, but also stay, helping districts maintain stable, effective teaching staff.
Several factors set Teachers of Tomorrow apart from other programs, and The Learning Liaisons plays a vital role in ensuring candidates are ready to pass their certification exams and enter the classroom with confidence:
1. High-Access Support – Extended phone support until 7 p.m. on weekdays, weekly live office hours, 24/7 AI chat, and after-hours AI voice support mean candidates always have help when they need it.
2. Dedicated Mentorship – Every candidate is paired with a veteran educator who provides ongoing coaching and structured classroom observations during the internship year.
3. Premium Test Prep with The Learning Liaisons – As part of ToT’s multi-format exam preparation, candidates receive free access to The Learning Liaisons, where qualified instructors offer video-based lessons, strategy sessions, and interactive practice designed specifically for state certification exams. This targeted preparation helps candidates pass on their first attempt, removing a major barrier to starting their teaching career.
4.
District Partnerships – With relationships in
more than 3,100 districts nationwide, ToT connects candidates to openings in high-need areas and keeps administrators informed of candidate progress through a dedicated district portal².
5. Accredited Quality Standards – Fully accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), ToT meets rigorous standards for curriculum, clinical practice, and candidate support³.
In the past five years, 43% of all newly certified teachers in Texas came through
Teachers of Tomorrow⁴. Nationwide, more than 85,000 teachers have graduated from the program, making ToT the largest alternative certification provider in multiple states, including Michigan, Indiana, North Carolina, and Texas.
For school districts facing staffing shortages, this scale means thousands of classrooms filled with educators who are not only certified, but also prepared to succeed — thanks in part to the expert-led exam preparation from The Learning Liaisons.
“Teacher certification should be more than a checkbox. It’s about making sure every educator who enters a classroom is ready to make a difference from day one — and to keep making that difference for years to come.” — Dr. Heath Morrison
By combining Teachers of Tomorrow’s proven preparation model with The Learning Liaisons’ targeted, high-quality test prep, candidates gain the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to pass their exams, start teaching sooner, and remain in the profession longer.
It’s a model that proves alternative certification can meet urgent hiring needs without compromising on rigor or teacher readiness — and that’s the kind of impact schools, students, and communities need now more than ever.
Learn more about Teachers of Tomorrow
here.
