A now-viral video showing a Newark Arts High School graduate picking up a music teaching contract on graduation day has sparked a lot of interest in a special program offered at New Jersey’s largest school district.

News 12 spoke with the principal of University High School and a 2025 graduate who just received her conditional teaching contract.

It’s no secret that some districts are struggling to fill teaching positions. In Newark, a video showing student Miguel Rodriguez Bermudez accepting a diploma and conditional teaching contract already racked up a half million views. He is studying music.

Thirty-two other students, like Kimaya Jones, enrolled in the Red Hawks Rising Teacher Academy. The program allows freshman students in Newark to apply for higher education classes.

“Honestly, I am filled with gratitude and very happy blessed to have this opportunity. I would not know where I would be if this opportunity was not presented to me,” said Kimaya Jones, a University High School graduate who will attend Marist University in the Hudson Valley this fall.

Kimaya and the other students who applied and were selected to the program take college-level education and teaching classes at University High School and then attend class at Montclair State University the summer of their junior year, paid for by the Newark School District. By the time they graduate, if all course work is completed, they’ll receive a contract to return home and teach students just like they were.

“This whole grow-your-own model that supports us producing teachers to come back and then serve the district in supporting the development in educating future students,” said Genique Hamilton, principal of University High School.

“They get a year toward their teaching certification in college. Leave here with 30 college credits, completely paid for by the district and leave here with 30 college credits,” said Hamilton.

The Red Hawks Rising program is a collaboration between Newark Public Schools, Montclair State University and the American Federation of Teachers. The contracts handed out to the 34 students offer conditional starting salaries of $74,000.