A new program trains educational support staff to become special education teachers.

Starting Monday, Minneapolis, North Branch and Owatonna public schools are partnering with Minnesota State University, Mankato to launch the Forward Together: Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program. The goal: address the demand for special education teachers in urban and rural schools in a teacher shortage.

“These apprentices have such inspiring stories, and we look forward to making their dreams of becoming certified teachers come true,” said Ryan Mulso, administrator of apprenticeships at Minneapolis Public Schools.

Registered teacher training programs started at the federal level in 2022, and there are several states that now have training apprenticeship programs. Minnesota — through the Department of Labor and Industry — has focused on growing more teachers, not just in numbers, but ones that reflect changing student demographics in different districts.

“School districts across the country are experiencing challenges in hiring and retaining teachers, and our district is no different,” said Chris Picha, director of human resources and student affairs at Owatonna Public Schools. “The Forward Together: Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program aims to address the teacher shortage by attracting excellent candidates with diverse backgrounds from our local communities and removing barriers to becoming a credentialed teacher.”

All of the first apprentice teachers are associate degree holders or are close to obtaining their license. MSU Mankato worked with the partner districts to accommodate the program so that apprentices can maintain their full-time employment while balancing their courses during the regular school day.

By removing potential barriers, it can broaden the candidate pool for those who want to enter the teaching profession but couldn’t because of money, time or licensing. It may also mean having to stop working full-time and drive long distances to get the training required for certification.

Now, working through locally partnered districts can help provide another option for obtaining the necessary training and experience to become certified special education teachers.

“We believe these community-based connections will make a long-term difference in student outcomes,” said North Branch Area Public Schools Superintendent Sara Paul.

Teri Preisler, acting director of the Center for Educator Partnerships and Student Support, said about 25 people applied for the first cohort and could graduate as early as 2026. Throughout the program, apprentices gain hands-on experience, complete their coursework and continue working in their classrooms so they can get their teaching degrees and licenses.

“It’s in a way that’s both affordable and time-wise for working adults to get their degree and be able to continue working and have time for our humanity in personal life,” Preisler said. “I think that’s the part that makes apprenticeships different, because it’s not taking courses at night or on weekends or doing projects and then learning that way … it’s directly connected to what they experience in school.”

The apprentices will also have teachers mentor them for the two years while they earn their degrees, Preisler added.

Pathway programs are not new across the state. In southwest Minnesota, the Southwest Teacher Preparation Partnership program has students complete general education credits at Minnesota West Community and Technical College as part of teacher education.

Upon completion, they enroll at Southwest Minnesota State University and continue to complete coursework and student teaching with in-person night classes and some online instruction at the Minnesota West campus in Worthington. Then all field placements take place in the Worthington Public School District. Any student who lives in the Worthington school district can apply for the program.

There are different models for a teacher training program, Preisler said, but this particular one being launched focuses on special education and for those who already have an associate’s degree or are very close to getting their teaching license.

“It’s not to replace any other incredible paths that already exist to become an educator,” she said. “But, it’s a different path that opens doors for those who haven’t had a door open before. Ultimately, the K-12 students who are going to be quality teachers see themselves and hopefully change the narrative of becoming an educator. It’s a noble profession and so honorable, and it is one that we really need to raise more.”