{"id":21934,"date":"2024-05-07T10:51:24","date_gmt":"2024-05-07T14:51:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/news\/?p=21934"},"modified":"2024-05-07T10:51:24","modified_gmt":"2024-05-07T10:51:24","slug":"uf-graduates-first-cohort-of-teacher-apprentices-in-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/news\/2024\/05\/07\/uf-graduates-first-cohort-of-teacher-apprentices-in-florida\/","title":{"rendered":"UF Graduates First Cohort of Teacher Apprentices in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

Registered apprenticeship offers a proven training model that prioritizes hands-on experience.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Florida Department of Education oversees hundreds of apprenticeship programs, from well-known trades like electricians and plumbers to lesser-known opportunities like hotel or restaurant managers. However, teachers, professionals synonymous with education, have never had a registered apprenticeship pathway\u2013 until now.<\/p>\n

This past weekend, the University of Florida graduated the first group of teacher apprentices in the state of Florida. UF had nine apprentices completing this pilot program, with six students graduating Spring 2024 and the remainder finishing over the summer. After graduation, these apprentices will transition into full-time, professionally certified teachers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a major milestone for the future of education across our state, as we recognize the graduates of the first teacher apprenticeship program in Florida,\u201d said Kevin O\u2019Farrell, chancellor for the Florida Department of Education’s Division of Career and Adult Education. \u201cRegistered apprenticeship programs offer apprentices hands-on training from experienced mentors, all while they get paid to learn. This is especially important in the education field \u2013 these teachers are graduating with the practical skills and real-world experience needed to excel in the dynamic classroom environment. As Florida continues to invest in teacher apprenticeship programs, more and more programs like this one will not only prepare our state\u2019s educators for success, but ensure our students receive the high-quality education they deserve.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

University Wide Commencement
\nSpring 2024<\/p>\n

UF prepared to pioneer this registered apprenticeship pathway after years of research into its potential benefits. By partnering with the Alachua County, Marion County and P.K. Yonge school districts, the university was able to develop a new collaborative approach to teacher training.<\/p>\n

Practical teaching experience is already a cornerstone of UF\u2019s traditional education programs. However, this is the first time that the university has engaged in a true \u201cearn and learn\u201d model tailored toward people actively employed full-time within a school setting.<\/p>\n

Richard Belsky was one of those full-time employees who joined the apprenticeship program. After decades of working as a stained glass artist, he became a substitute teacher at the urging of friends and family. He acquired his temporary teaching certificate but knew he had a lot to learn on his journey to obtain his professional credentials.<\/p>\n

\u201cComing from stained glass, we have very specific tools for very specific jobs and I knew I did not have those tools yet,\u201d Belsky explained. Like most, he was familiar with the concept of apprenticeship but was not sure what to expect out of this new experience geared toward teachers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Registered apprenticeship programs in Florida must fulfill five main requirements: employer involvement, structured on-the-job training, related technical instruction, rewards for skill gains, and industry-recognized credentials.<\/p>\n

In this apprenticeship for teachers, the school districts served as the employers. UF collaborated with participating districts to select highly skilled and experienced mentor teachers and to develop and host mentor training. The technical instruction requirement was fulfilled through an online post-baccalaureate program that the university designed to meet the needs of both the schools and the apprentices themselves.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Rebekah Mascari, teacher apprentice<\/p>\n

UF\u2019s first graduating cohort is composed primarily of paraprofessionals, long-term substitutes and educators like Belsky, who hold temporary certifications. This group reflects a range of individuals dedicated to advancing education, and the registered apprenticeship program serves as a proactive measure to support these individuals. By offering a structured pathway for those already engaged in school settings to further develop their skills and advance their careers, the program fosters professional growth and contributes to the ongoing enrichment of the education sector.<\/p>\n

\u201cMany of these apprentices are people already infused in their schools and their communities,\u201d explained Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs Elayne Col\u00f3n. \u201cRather than having them step out of the workplace to pursue a degree or receive training, they are staying in the schools they serve and we are enhancing their preparation around their full-time employment.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Rebekah Mascari is another apprentice slated to graduate with Belsky this summer. Mascari\u2019s journey began as a paraprofessional who wanted to take on a more active role in the classroom. After working in a special education capacity, she loved engaging with the students and decided to pursue a career in teaching.<\/p>\n

\u201cI realized one day that I wanted to make the lesson plans and guide the class, I wanted to be in charge,\u201d Mascari explained. She finished her bachelor\u2019s degree in sociology, obtained her temporary certificate, and was offered an ESE teaching position. As her first year of teaching came to a close, she was encouraged to participate in the apprenticeship program.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With an opportunity to receive both educational instruction from UF and her professional teaching certificate without leaving her current position, she jumped in. While the program is intensive, Mascari emphasized the support and encouragement she\u2019s received, saying, \u201cThe teachers, the professors\u2013 they\u2019re just amazing and they understand that you\u2019re actually working and doing the apprenticeship at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have so much more in my toolbelt to pull out\u2013 I even want to keep my textbooks for reference, there\u2019s just so much I\u2019ve learned,\u201d Mascari elaborated. She is particularly excited about the impact her apprenticeship is having on her students in the classroom. \u201cI love that they\u2019re getting the best of me now and I can\u2019t wait to go into next year with everything I\u2019ve learned!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Belsky echoed similar sentiments regarding the apprenticeship\u2019s support structure, admitting he was surprised by all the intangible benefits the program has to offer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I have a whole team rooting for me now,\u201d Belsky said, referring to the faculty and mentors he has interacted with throughout the apprenticeship. \u201cI was not expecting all of that touchy-feely stuff\u2013 I was really expecting to just learn a few tools. I\u2019m a tool guy! But it\u2019s been so much more than that.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Registered apprenticeship offers a proven training model that prioritizes hands-on experience. The Florida Department of Education oversees hundreds of apprenticeship programs, however, teachers have never had a registered apprenticeship pathway \u2013 until now.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-release"],"yoast_head":"\nUF Graduates First Cohort of Teacher Apprentices in Florida - News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/news\/2024\/05\/07\/uf-graduates-first-cohort-of-teacher-apprentices-in-florida\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UF Graduates First Cohort of Teacher Apprentices in Florida\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Registered apprenticeship offers a proven training model that prioritizes hands-on experience. 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