Two TCALC students earn national recognition; district expands teacher apprenticeship pathway

Two students connected to the Teacher Career and Leadership Center received national recognition and the district announced an expanded apprenticeship pathway that will place apprentices in classrooms while they earn college credit.

Miss Dixon, a TCALC instructor, told the Board that "Ellie placed eighth place overall in the nation in her category, and Adeline finished first in the nation with her children's book," and introduced the students and their achievements. A TCALC student who described her book said, "I'll be getting a publishing deal for" the children's book.

The district said the apprenticeship will be run in partnership with Washburn University and Washburn Tech. District staff described the program as an apprenticeship model in which students will be hired as apprentices, take college courses (Washburn will provide instruction counted toward high-school graduation), and work in district classrooms. The district reported 21 students are currently enrolled in the program and that apprentices will be compensated hourly; the district said apprentices will not likely receive full benefits and that work hours are expected to be part time.

Board members praised the students and the pathway. Board member Mister Tatum told the students, "You are representing Topeka Public Schools across the nation and making an impact," and encouraged the students to consider returning to teach in the district.

District staff said the apprenticeship is intended to create a local pipeline to address teacher shortages by giving students early classroom experience and an associate degree on an accelerated schedule. Staff described the timeline as starting the junior year so that by the end of the senior year apprentices will have completed the associate-degree requirements; one student noted she will begin classes at Emporia State University in August. The district also said it secured access to apprenticeship funding through the U.S. Department of Labor to cover tuition costs, and that Washburn negotiated tuition reductions.

Staff announced a commitment ceremony for apprentices on Friday, Aug. 15, at 9:30 a.m. at TCALC.

The board did not take formal action on the apprenticeship during the meeting; the program update was presented as a district initiative and informational item.

The district identified TCALC staff and program partners present at the meeting, including Miss Nichols and other TCALC staff who accompanied students to the boardroom. Presentations and board remarks took place in the highlights portion of the agenda before public communications and consent business.

The district said the apprenticeship will begin next week in classroom placements and will be further refined as staff and partners finalize schedules, placements and employment details.

For now, the district characterized the apprenticeship as a job-plus-education model aimed at keeping local students in the district’s teacher pipeline.