This two part webinar series invites districts, BOCES, union affiliates, and other educational institutions to explore how apprenticeship pathways can provide a sustainable, regional solution to critical educator workforce challenges, including shortages, retention, and a lack of diversity. Participants will gain insights into how the NYS Educator Workforce Development HUB supports Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in creating apprenticeship pathways for roles such as teacher assistants, teachers, and school administrators. Each session will feature valuable information, engaging discussions, and perspectives from former apprentices, school-based teacher educators, and others actively involved in Apprenticeship Programs.

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Part 1: Why Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) for Teachers? on February 11

What are Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) for educators and why are they seen as local solutions to educator workforce capacity? What is the federally-funded NYS Educator Workforce HUB and how can it support New York’s schools to develop and implement RAPs?  After this session, participants will be able to 1) identify the educator workforce capacity challenges they face and the strategies being employed by school districts; 2) recognize the components and value-add of educator Registered Apprenticeship Programs for educators; and 3) access the technical assistance available through the NYS Educator Workforce Development HUB to establish a fiscally-responsible and sustainable Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Part 1 General Outline 

• Hook: Quick video or fact sheet on the impacts of the educator workforce crisis on students.

• Think-Pair-Share:  What are the staffing challenges your district is facing, and what actions have you taken to address the challenges? 

• Zoom Whiteboard Post it Activity

• Overview of Teacher Apprenticeships and Value Add.

• How can RAPs help address the challenges identified?  

• How can teacher apprenticeships programs build on the best practices discussed?

• Next Step and Call to Action 

  • Set a meeting up with the hub, questions, thoughts etc. 

  • Review hiring needs in your district 

  • Bring co-workers into the conversation for part 2 

 

Part 2: Creating Educator Career Pathways Through Apprenticeships on February 25

How can RAP programs create career ladder opportunities for high school seniors and underemployed school community members, or teachers pursuing their admin credentials? What are the components of a school administrator RAP, and how can all three educator titles (teaching assistant, teacher, school administrator) be part of a regionalization initiative around educator workforce capacity? After this session, participants will be able to 1) articulate the potential for a career pathway starting with high school seniors in an early college career or CTE program or underemployed school community members; 2) understand the components of teacher, teacher assistant and school administrator RAPs; and 3) describe how RAPs can be a successful tool to recruit and retain educators. 

Part 2 General Outline

• Hook: Think-Pair-Share: How does your district staff TA positions?  What challenges do you face? How might you utilize a career pathway program to leverage current school community members such as students or current employees? How can you create a career ladder for educators? 

• Career ladders - Review three titles and potential career ladders 

• Investment and Funding as presentation and discussion

• Voices from the field, hear from a superintendent who has developed a RAP 

• Call to action - What’s Next? Share 2-3 next steps