RISD and Dallas College have formed the first teacher apprenticeship program in Texas to build a steady pipeline of well-trained teachers.
This will be the first paid teacher residency program in Texas, and RISD expects to be placing more high-quality teachers in classrooms, sooner rather than later.
“This innovative program offers a win-win for Dallas College students and area school districts,” RISD Interim Superintendent Tabitha Branum said. “The immediate opportunity for Richardson ISD is that we will be able to host and hire students who have spent a year preparing and honing their craft. We think an apprenticeship year increase the likelihood they will become excellent long-term educators in our district.”
Dallas College’s School of Education is making a concerted effort with local school districts to strengthen the teacher pipeline by modeling a hands-on training program similar to what has been successfully employed in other professions that give trainees a chance to gain real-world experience and earn a salary with a partner organization while earning a degree or a credential.
“The apprenticeships will help fill short-term workforce needs of partner school systems while providing a rich career-embedded learning opportunity for Dallas College students that will result in a living wage job,” Dean of Educator Pathways Sara DeLano said. “We are thrilled to launch this program with local school partners and would love to expand it to school systems across the region. The apprenticeship program removes financial barriers and supports school systems in growing their own pipeline of talented educators.”
Students in the first cohort in fall 2022 will earn $30,000 each in year-long residencies. These students – 10 initially in RISD – will serve as residents three days a week and will then either tutor or serve as a substitute one day a week.
