We hope that the following resources give you an idea of how to create similar apprenticeship programs in your state and how federal approval could help. As always, ExcelinEd stands ready to help you Grow Your Own Apprenticeship Model.
In January 2022, the U.S. Department of Labor approved Tennessee to become the first registered teacher apprenticeship program in the nation. A version of Grow Your Own, the Tennessee model creates partnerships between school districts and educator preparation programs, allowing high school graduates to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and teaching certification at no cost. Teacher apprentices earn a living wage as they progress through the program with sustainable federal and workforce funds.
This Playbook is intended to be a practical guide to support stakeholders’ development and launch of a Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeship program, intended to generate well-trained, community representative teachers to address critical teaching shortage areas in their locale.
