TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Troy University and Troy City Schools have officially started the “Trojans Teaching Trojans” Scholarship.

Around the nation, research shows the education field has been suffering from a lack of educators nationwide. Troy City Schools is no exception. In an attempt to address the growing shortage, university and city school leaders are turning to a select group of students within the Department of Teacher Education.

“Having them in our school system actually from a realistic perspective not just in a classroom learning how to be a teacher, but actually having hands on and being in those settings, I think is a win-win,” said Troy City Schools Superintendent Cynthia Thomas.

As part of this unprecedented agreement, Troy University students will spend 12 weeks in a semester providing instructional support in Troy City Schools classrooms.

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“Number one [the scholarship] helps with finances for the TROY education majors, number two it gives them real world practical experience working with students before they get into their full time career, and number three it helps Troy City Schools because now they have more boots on the ground,” TROY University Department Chair of Teacher Education Joe Johnson explained.

Although in-classroom instruction is important, school leaders say the opportunity to have real world experience is invaluable.

“[The students] will start in one semester and if they have a very good experience they can actually go back and get more scholarship support to stay with Troy City Schools for a second term,” Johnson told TrojanVision “They could possibly intern for Troy City Schools.”

While this program tackles the school system’s problem of educators, it also hopes to provide support for students and the community.