November 14 through 18 is National Apprenticeship Week, and the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) is celebrating by touting its one-of-a-kind teacher apprenticeship program.
“This week, the Tennessee Department of Education is celebrating the important role apprenticeships play in postsecondary preparation during the 8th Annual National Apprenticeship Week, happening November 14-18. Specifically, the department is highlighting the Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship, the first registered apprenticeship program for teaching in the country, paving the way for the future of the teaching profession,” according to a release.
TDOE Commissioner Peggy Schwinn weighed in on the week of celebration.
“This week, we are proud to highlight the many amazing apprenticeship programs across Tennessee that help students identify their strengths and passions in the workforce to boost their readiness for success after high school graduation,” said Schwinn. “I am especially excited to highlight the Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship, providing our students with multiple avenues into the teaching profession for free.”
Tennessee’s “Grow Your Own” teacher apprenticeship program, which launched in January, has been a smashing success, as reported by The Tennessee Star.
Just last week, TDOE touted the program.
“Today, the Tennessee Department of Education announced continued momentum and recognition for innovative educator preparation pathways through a component of Tennessee’s Grow Your Own initiative, the Tennessee Teacher Apprenticeship models. Tennessee was the first state in the country to sponsor registered teaching apprenticeship programs between school districts and Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs), and Tennessee’s Teacher Apprenticeship models align leading practices in teacher preparation and development with the rigors of the nationally registered apprenticeship process,” the government agency said.
At the time, Schwinn called the program “will set the course for the nation’s educator pipeline, ultimately accelerating our innovation for not only teacher preparation – but the profession itself.”
“Tennessee’s Apprenticeship Model aligns leading practices in teacher preparation and development with the rigors and funding of the national registered apprenticeship process. A Registered Apprenticeship Program is a proven model of professional training that has been validated by either the USDOL or a State Apprenticeship Agency,” according to the state. “Tennessee’s Teacher Occupation Apprenticeship was the first of its kind federally registered through the USDOL, meeting national quality standards that are hallmarks for both employers and job seeking apprentices.”
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
