Forging New Pathways to Teaching

What is a Registered Apprenticeship Program in education? And how can it help school districts solve the teacher shortage?

Andrea Dickson, Director of Talent Acquisition in Brazosport Independent School District in Texas, shares how their apprenticeship program enables them to open teaching up to more people who want to teach — but who may otherwise have encountered barriers to entering the profession. She describes how they structure the program and offers specific steps for any districts seeking to implement a similar offering.

• Innovative pathways: this alternative route to teacher certification makes it possible for participants to avoid the financial hurdles that come with the cost of a traditional teacher preparation program or taking time off of work.
• Addressing the teacher shortage: The program is helping Brazosport ISD fill vacancies by offering on-ramps for internal and external candidates.
• Supportive framework: Apprentices receive hands-on experience and mentorship from veteran teachers — and emerge from the program well-equipped from day one.
• Community engagement: The program naturally enhances the diversity of the teaching workforce by attracting talent from the community.