VDOE Announces $143,000 in Teacher Apprenticeship Planning Grants

The Virginia Department of Education is awarding $143,000 in grants to nine universities to develop teacher apprentice residency programs in partnership with nearby school divisions.

The programs will allow divisions to hire classroom aides, paraprofessionals, substitutes and other unlicensed school employees as teacher apprentices and provide a mentored pathway for them to complete the coursework required to become fully licensed teachers.

“The Apprenticeship Planning Grants build on existing residency programs and local grow-your-own recruitment programs as a means of expanding the teacher pipeline,” Balow said. “The grants and the partnerships are also aligned with the objectives of Governor Glenn Youngkin’s September executive directive on addressing teacher shortages in the commonwealth’s public schools.”

Universities receiving grants and partnering with FCPS include George Mason and Virginia Commonwealth University. Read more in the press release.