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Leading the Way in Teacher Apprenticeships
Registered apprenticeships address shortages and streamline pathways to teaching
BY ANN HLABANGANA-CLAY AND MICHAEL SAYLOR
ACROSS THE COUNTRY, we’re grappling with a shortage of teachers, and Delaware is no exception. At the start of this school year, Delaware’s public schools had 355 vacant teaching positions. The greatest need is in our middle and high schools, especially in subjects like math, science, and special education, where many schools struggle to find qualified candidates.
Despite these concerning figures, Delaware is performing better than other states. According to a July 2023 Policy Memo from the U.S. Department of Education titled “Raise the Bar: Eliminate the Educator Shortage,” only three states experienced any growth in their educator workforce post-pandemic. Delaware led the pack with a 5.1% increase. In its commitment to leading the Nation, the state is actively developing more high-quality pathways into teaching. One initiative is the introduction of a Registered Apprenticeship in Teaching.
The concept of registered apprenticeships for teaching started in Tennessee in 2021. These programs offer aspiring educators a unique pathway into the teaching profession. Modeled after traditional apprenticeships in skilled trades, such as carpentry or plumbing, registered apprenticeships for teaching provide a combination of classroom instruction and practical, on-the-job training.
Nationally, these programs have gained traction to address both the shortage of teachers and the need for more diverse pathways into education. By blending classroom learning with hands-on experience, aspiring teachers can develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in today's classrooms. This innovative approach has received attention and interest from educators, policymakers, and stakeholders across the country, including in Delaware, where House Bill 138 was introduced last year by Representative Kimberly Williams, making Delaware the first Mid-Atlantic State to register an apprenticeship in teaching.
Delaware's program launched last fall within the Appoquinimink School District, funded through a Federal Department of Labor grant. The program, spanning two years, adopts an "earn as you learn" model, with apprentices initially employed as paraprofessionals and paired with experienced teachers in their first year.
In the second year, apprentices transition into teacher residents, gradually assuming more responsibilities under the guidance of mentor teachers before graduating as certified teachers. Throughout the two-year period, apprentices complete coursework at Wilmington University. This initiative has been a collaborative effort bringing together unions, legislators, and employers, with support from partners like the Rodel Foundation, Delaware Department of Labor, Wilmington University, and Appoquinimink School District.
Currently, efforts are underway to secure additional grant funding to expand the apprenticeship model to other districts and establish partnerships with additional colleges and universities.
Delaware's approach to addressing the teacher shortage through registered apprenticeships marks a significant step forward in strengthening the state's education system. With the successful launch of the Teacher Apprenticeship program, Delaware is paving the way for a sustainable, diverse, and accessible pathway into teaching.
Ann Hlabangana-Clay is an education associate of educator equity and recruitment and Michael Saylor is director of educator excellence at the Delaware Department of Education.
