NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stopped in New Port Richey to talk about education in hopes of recruiting and retaining more teachers.

Speaking Tuesday at River Ridge High School, he talked about a proposal for a recruitment program that would expand teaching opportunities from veterans — an effort he recently announced — to first responders who have a bachelor's degree as well.

DeSantis said exam fees for those applicants would be waived, and they would be eligible for a $4,000 bonus. If they teach a subject with a particular shortage, they could get an extra $1,000.

He also announced plans for a teacher apprenticeship program that would call for current teachers to mentor people with an associate’s degree who want to teach. The teacher would get a $4,000 bonus for each mentor that completes the two-year effort.

The third of his three announcements was a proposed new scholarship program for current high school teachers to get a master's degree, so they can teach dual-enrollment courses at their high schools.

“So this'll be a win for students because they'll have more opportunity,” DeSantis said at the news conference, which was also attended by Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Florida state Rep. Wilton Simpson and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

“It would also be a win for teachers and their professional development," DeSantis said. "So we look forward to working on these very important initiatives. We've done an awful lot in education. There's not been a single state that's done more than we have over the last few years."

The governor defended his recent launch to recruit qualified military veterans to join schools. The State Board of Education this week will consider a rule to formally implement a program for veterans to receive a five-year temporary education certificate while they finish their bachelor’s degree, provided they meet certain criteria.

"Some in the media just recently started attacking us over this," DeSantis said. "They said you can't just put any old warm body in the classroom. as a veteran I will tell you that the people who serve our country aren't just some warm body. They are people who have a lot to offer."

The new programs he discussed Tuesday aren't in effect yet. They would have to be passed during the next Florida legislative session.