A Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway in a Rural, Midwest State: Perspectives of Teacher Apprentices

Teacher education programs across the nation are seeing a decline in entrants (Evans et al., 2021). Factors such as challenging classroom discipline, subpar compensation, and lack of encouragement from existing educators to enter the profession can be cited as among the reasons for the decline (Evans et al., 2021). South Dakota, where this study is based, reflects this trend, with vacancies remaining unfilled throughout the state, particularly in rural areas. Rural states often have fewer applicants for teaching positions. This can be due to comparatively modest salaries, unique work environment factors, and high teacher attrition (Tran et al., 2020; Oyen & Schweinle, 2021; Hall & Giles, 2022). One solution to this problem has been to develop alternative certification pathways for individuals living in rural areas to earn a teaching degree and become a certified teacher without relocating or leaving their current position. This is oftentimes called an earn-while-you-learn model.

The South Dakota Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway (SDTAP) was developed as a strategic response to the critical teacher shortage confronting principals and superintendents in South Dakota. The program, developed in collaboration between one of the state’s public universities, Dakota State University, the South Dakota Department of Education, the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulations, and the South Dakota Board of Regents, is the first registered apprenticeship in the state, as recognized by the United States Department of Labor and Regulation. The SDTAP provides aspiring paraprofessionals, currently working in South Dakota classrooms, a pathway to transition into certified teachers by completing a bachelor’s degree in education through Dakota State University. This grow-your-own approach provides principals and superintendents the ability to recruit, cultivate, and potentially employ interested paraprofessionals already working within their schools. The individuals enrolled in the program continue to serve as paraprofessionals while taking online coursework toward their teaching degree in elementary education or special education. In the fall of 2023, 78 paraprofessionals began their journey to becoming elementary or special education teachers within the SDTAP at Dakota State University.