New Ohio teacher apprenticeship program to help aides, librarians, bus drivers obtain teaching license
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Ohio’s new Teacher Apprenticeship Program to help the state address the educator shortage offering a career pathway for those wanting to become teachers that work in other positions within the school district Friday.
"These are people who already know about their school, they already know about education, they already have relationships with children and know the challenges," Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner said.
DeWine said that the new program "is an innovative way to help those already working in schools, such as teachers’ aids, library specialists, or bus drivers, obtain their teaching license,” said DeWine.
Poland Superintendent Craig Hockenberry said when it comes to staff shortages, they've been down this road before, and he doesn't think there is much of a choice but to recruit more teachers and is happy to see the state trying to get ahead of the problem before it's too late.
Hockenberry said if the teacher shortage were to turn out to be "anything like the bus driver shortage, it was one of the most challenging things I've gone through in my 30-year career."
According to the statement from Dewine's office, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, Ohio Department of Education, and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services are working together to develop the program's standards and add the occupation of K-12 teachers to the registered apprenticeships in Ohio.
"Obviously we have to train people in high-level classroom management. Just because you can supervise kids on a playground, read them books and assist a teacher, doesn't mean you're going to be a great teacher. Classroom management plays a big part," Hockenberry said.
Lt. Governor Jon Husted said, “At a time where we are facing a critical need to fill these positions, preparing teachers through the apprenticeship model will help deliver additional qualified teachers for the classroom.”
Eligible candidates participating in the teacher apprenticeship program can apply for the Grow Your Own Teacher scholarships, which provide up to $7,500 per year for four years in exchange for committing to teach in a qualifying Ohio school for at least four years.
The Ohio Department of Higher Education said the new program will ensure that student teachers get paid to work and provide on-the-job experience as well as staff support.
Chancellor Randy Gardner said there will be flexibility for completion depending on the person's background and existing credits.
"This is a thoughtful, professional, structured targeted way to reach people who have the care and passion to want to be teachers and then provide them the support, provide them the curriculum, provide them the coursework and assist them in completing the process," Gardner said.
