HCS included in VDOE Teacher Apprenticeship Planning Grants

The Virginia Department of Education has awarded $143,000 in grants to nine universities to develop teacher apprentice residency programs in partnership with nearby school divisions. The College of William & Mary has received $16,000 in grants to partner with Hampton City Schools and Newport News Public Schools.

 

The programs will allow divisions to hire classroom aides, paraprofessionals, substitutes and other unlicensed school employees as teacher apprentices and provide a mentored pathway for them to complete the coursework required to become fully licensed teachers.

 

“The Apprenticeship Planning Grants build on existing residency programs and local grow-your-own recruitment programs as a means of expanding the teacher pipeline,” Jillian Balow, Virginia superintendent of public instruction said. 

 

In November 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor approved K-12 teaching as an “apprenticeable” occupation, qualifying teacher apprentice programs for funding through several federal workforce-development grants administered by the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry. VDOE expects to complete the registration process with VDOLI by the end of the year.

VDOE will announce another round of grants early next year to support training for mentors, the hiring of new apprentices and tuition assistance. Priority will be given to partnerships that received a planning grant in 2022.