As Texas grapples with a statewide teacher shortage, aspiring teachers will now have the opportunity to enter the profession through a new apprenticeship approach to initial state teacher certification. Brazosport Independent School District, Brazosport College, and INSPIRE TEXAS | Educator Preparation by Region 4 is the first K-12 Teacher apprenticeship program in Texas to be approved by the United States Department of Labor to offer a Registered Apprenticeship Program.
Apprenticeship programs address employer-driven needs focusing on high growth, high need, high skill and high wage career opportunities. The registered apprenticeship program offers participants the opportunity to earn a salary in BISD under the guidance of a master teacher, work toward bachelor’s degree completion at Brazosport College, and complete the requirements to be a certified teacher with INSPIRE TEXAS.
“In numerous industries, an apprenticeship showcases to employers the commitment, hard work, and ability of prospective job applicants, and education should be no different,” said Dr. Rene Ruiz, INSPIRE TEXAS Program Director. “This will also help districts hire highly-qualified new teachers at a time of great need.”
Under the Registered Apprenticeship program for K-12 teacher preparation through the Department of Labor, selected apprentices will have access to benefits that support tuition and fees, professional development, on-the-job training and needs-based wraparound services. The partnership is actively exploring and applying for grants and formulary funding specifically for registered apprenticeships to support sustainability of the program, which are available through the Department of Labor, Texas Workforce Solutions, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and other federal and state entities that support the work of apprenticeship programs.
“Brazosport ISD is eager to launch the Registered Apprenticeship Program this fall, and the opportunity to support the growth and development of current employees and community members who aspire to become a certified teacher,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Kristi Kirschner. “We believe that our talent acquisition strategies and newly developed apprenticeship program are setting the standard in education by creating pathways to deepen the talent pipeline for highly-qualified teachers in Texas.”
Through this collaborative effort, access to the teaching field expands while at the same time adding support, guidance, and structure to those earning their teaching credentials. Further, the program will tap into asset-based community development and highlight the strengths and opportunities within each partner entity.
Apprentices will have access to all required resources within Brazoria County. Dr. Vincent Solis, President of Brazosport College, emphasized the role that Brazosport College will play in support of future educators. “This program will help fill workforce needs of partner school systems while providing a rich career-centered learning opportunity for Brazosport College students that will result in family-sustaining wages,” Solis stated. “We are excited to launch this program with BISD. The apprenticeship program creates an opportunity to meet participants where they are in their journey, to meet their education and career goals of becoming a certified teacher in Texas.”
Within the current context of rising teacher vacancies, the apprenticeship model will offer multiple on-ramps into the field and higher retention. This approach to mentorship, teaching, and learning furthers the partnership’s goal of quality educator preparation from start to finish.
Brazosport ISD, Brazosport College and INSPIRE Texas will be hosting a community information session about the teacher apprenticeship program at Brazosport College’s Corporate Learning Center on July 28, 2022. To register for this event, please complete the interest form linked
here.
Teaching Apprenticeships Open the Path to Certification in Brazoria County