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'Tigers to Teachers' apprenticeship aims to funnel paraprofessionals into special-education teaching roles
Summary
Jeremy outlined a three-year, grant-funded apprenticeship with Teacher Apprentice Minnesota and Southwest Minnesota State University that would let paraprofessionals work full time while earning a degree and licensure; the district hopes to enroll about five apprentices this fall and said the grant covers tuition and stipends.
Jeremy told the board the district has partnered with Teacher Apprentice Minnesota and Southwest Minnesota State University to launch "Tigers to Teachers," an apprenticeship intended to recruit paraprofessionals and paraprofessional professionals into licensure-track teaching—with a focus on special education, where the district faces staffing shortages.
"For three years they serve as an apprentice ... attending classes with SMSU but still working full-time," Jeremy said. The program combines on-the-job work, coursework and mentorship from a "journey teacher" assigned from within the district. At the end of three years participants earn a college degree and are eligible for licensure.
Jeremy said the program is funded through a grant originating with the U.S. Department of Labor and managed by Teacher Apprentice Minnesota; the district does not bear additional tuition costs. He described stipends for journey teachers and administrative fees covered by the grant and said the intention is to start with one apprentice per building—about five apprentices total for the first year. "Our target is to have five people enrolled in the program for this fall," he said.
Board members asked whether participants are required to remain with the district after completing the program and about reimbursement if they choose not to stay. Jeremy said the district is discussing options but the advice from Teacher Apprentice Minnesota was to avoid strict post-completion employment obligations; he said there is not a requirement to reimburse tuition if a participant chooses not to work for the district afterward.
Jeremy and Beth said the program is relatively new, will require an application and interview process, and may recruit "journey teachers" from current staff. As of the meeting they had received initial expressions of interest and planned to collect formal applications ahead of a fall start.
The board heard the overview as an information item and did not vote on program authorization at this meeting.
