Dept. of Labor Awards USM $3.8M for Teacher Apprenticeship Program
Wed, 08/28/2024 - 09:52am | By: Karelia Pitts
After becoming the first Registered Teacher Apprenticeship program in the state of Mississippi, The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) was awarded an Apprenticeship Building America grant worth $3,800,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration.
“Southern Miss remains connected to our historical roots of producing teachers that are ready for life, and this substantial grant from the Department of Labor brings us to over $7 million secured this year for innovative approaches to teacher preparation, such as teacher residency and apprenticeship,” said Dr. Trent Gould, dean of the USM College of Education and Human Sciences. “Expanding the Golden Eagle Teacher Residency program to offer teacher apprenticeship support is one more example of our commitment to impacting Mississippi communities by producing teachers that will persist in the profession.”
The Golden Eagle Teacher Apprenticeship program is an earn while you learn opportunity for teacher assistants to gain skills and training for promotion. In 2022, teaching became an apprentice-able profession by the DOL’s standards, opening the door for funding and support to assist individuals as they transition from teacher assistants to teachers. While working in local school districts, teacher assistants in the apprenticeship program will complete their college coursework online.
“This partnership with the DOL will strengthen our ability to assist K-12 systems in addressing the significant challenges they face attracting and retaining teachers,” said Andrea Krell, instructor and director of teacher residency at USM. “With our Apprenticeship Building America grant, USM is hoping to support 305 teacher apprentices in over 60 school districts during the next four years.”
Fifty teacher assistants enrolled for fall 2024 will participate in the first teacher apprenticeship cohort at USM, with another 50 Golden Eagles joining them in the spring term. Students will receive annual scholarships, payment of their Praxis exam fees, differentiated student supports and technology resources, in addition to focused assistance and professional development opportunities.
“At USM, we’re committed to providing teachers in training with a solid educational foundation while also strengthening partnerships with Mississippi school districts to help meet their needs,” said Dr. Donielle Stephens, assistant teaching professor and director of USM’s Office of Educational Field Experiences. “This grant is a win for both of those groups we serve, and we look forward to deepening relationships as we provide them with much-needed assistance.”
Participating school districts will benefit from customized incentive packages that can include professional development offerings, mentor teacher stipends and apprentice support.
Learn more about the USM School of Education. Learn more about teacher apprenticeship and residency pathways.