Alpine School District has two future teachers already off to a strong start. Tyler Crook and Madisyn Lott celebrated their formal entry into the Utah Registered Apprenticeship Program for Teachers (U-RAPT) during a signing ceremony at Oak Canyon Junior High School on September 30.
“It's genuinely incredible. I think this is just a fantastic program to help aspiring teachers like me prepare for a rewarding career,” said Crook.
The signing ceremony marks the official beginning of a multi-year journey where they will earn their bachelor's degrees and teaching licenses while learning from a mentor teacher.
U-RAPT is a paid, competency-based program that provides apprenticeship for those with an associate's degree who work with a mentor teacher to earn a bachelor's degree and teaching license, according to the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) website. Alpine is among the first districts to participate.
Cami Harper, Executive Director of Human Resources at Alpine School District, said the program will help the district fill critical needs, like special education teaching positions.
“Wouldn't that be just such an amazing experience for these teachers to come into the classroom with confidence when they graduate, getting hands-on learning in our special classes?,” Harper said.
“These future teachers have the opportunity to see what it's like to be in a classroom from the beginning of the year to the end of the year and doing that side by side with a qualified journey worker,” said Christina Guevara, Apprenticeship Education Specialist at Utah State Board of Education. “By the time they step into their first year as the teacher of record, they've done it all. They're at ease, they know their community they've been developed.”
Guevara also noted that more prepared teachers are more likely to stay in the profession, a benefit to students and school systems.
For the apprentices, U-RAPT offered a clear, supported pathway to the teaching career they desired.
“I wanted to become a teacher, I just didn't know what my pathway was going to look like. When I finally saw the announcement and job postings for it, I saw this was my opportunity,” Crook said. “It was a good fit for both parties for me and the school and it’s beautiful to be here."
The competency-based approach reflects what is asked of Utah's licensed educators—to provide individualized student experiences. By the time the apprentices become teachers of record, "they've done it all," Guevara said.
Alpine is one of 17 districts and charters participating, the program is making an impact on the learning outcomes of approximately 1,500 students statewide, setting a new model for teacher development, according to USBE.
It's just like I think that if one is looking to become a teacher like this could be or not, if not the best way to do it,” said Crook.