July 26, 2023

This paid piece is sponsored by the University of South Dakota.

The University of South Dakota School of Education will receive $15,000 from Start Today SD and the U.S. Department of Labor to develop a Teacher Fellows Registered Apprenticeship Program, or RAP.

South Dakota universities recently became eligible to apply for RAP funding to address the teacher shortage across the state.

Students who participate in the Teacher Fellows program will work in South Dakota public schools in various education positions while earning their education degree at USD or USD – Sioux Falls. Each Teacher Fellow will receive an on-site mentor to support them on their journey to becoming a licensed teacher.

“These positions allow students to receive hands-on mentoring and on-the-job learning, aligning their coursework in the teacher residency and education division with real-world experiences,” said Amy Schweinle, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education. “This ensures that the skills and knowledge acquired in the classroom directly apply to the tasks and responsibilities of their apprenticeships.”

Labor Department apprenticeship funding also includes $6,500 in tuition reimbursement for each year a student participates in the Teacher Fellows program. Teacher Fellows also can apply for funds for job-related and teacher preparation expenses such as Praxis exams, student teaching insurance and textbooks. Teacher Fellows will be paid for their work in the classroom and receive wage increases as they progress in their degree and demonstrate core competencies.

“The program acknowledges their growth and dedication by rewarding them with financial incentives for each year they participate in the Teacher Fellows RAP,” Schweinle said.

Another benefit of the Teacher Fellows program is the potential for USD students to be paid for their yearlong teacher residency, also known as student teaching. This eliminates an economic barrier for students who otherwise would not be able to afford to attend an unpaid, yearlong teacher residency experience. USD will work with K-12 partner school districts across South Dakota, which already host USD teacher residents, to create paid teacher residency positions at participating schools. Teacher Fellows also are incentivized to return to their hometown.

“The Teacher Fellow RAP will play a vital role in addressing the critical need for well-educated and highly prepared teachers in South Dakota,” Schweinle said.

Upon completion of the program, Teacher Fellows earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in elementary, secondary and/or special education, a South Dakota teaching certificate and a certificate of apprenticeship from the Labor Department. This comprehensive set of credentials equips graduates with the necessary qualifications to pursue successful careers in education, empowering them to make a positive impact in classrooms and communities.

“Well-prepared teachers, supported by scaffolded, job-embedded training, are more likely to stay in the profession, benefiting students and improving overall educational outcomes,” Schweinle said.

The Teacher Fellows program is part of USD’s long-standing commitment to attract South Dakotans to the teaching profession. USD’s School of Education launched the Teacher Pathway program in 2018 with the Sioux Falls School District to provide high school students with a path to a college education and the teaching profession. Over 575 Sioux Falls students have gone through the program, with the first cohort of students graduating from USD in May 2023. Many of the Teacher Pathway graduates have been hired as teachers in the Sioux Falls School District for the 2023-24 school year.

“We are extremely proud of our Teacher Pathway students, and we are looking forward to having the first cohort begin as teachers in the fall,” said Jamie Nold, Ed.D., assistant superintendent of the Sioux Falls School District. “The Teacher Fellows program is another excellent pathway for our diverse student population in Sioux Falls to grow into future teachers.”