Northeast State Community College implements its first teaching apprenticeship pathway

Northeast State Community College has introduced its new apprenticeship pathway, its first for teaching. The apprenticeship is applicable to Carter County and Johnson County’s school systems, and allows those taking the apprenticeship to maintain working full time while also earning credit toward a degree.

According to an article on Northeast State Community College’s website, the idea for the apprenticeship arose to address a shortage in the area. Teachers for K-12 are in short supply, and at an apprenticeship event in November, representatives from Carter County and Johnson County schools systems were on hand to sign the apprenticeship agreement with Northeast State Community College to begin addressing that shortage.

Holly Free-Ollard, who is vice president for economic and workforce development at Northeast State Community College, said of the agreement, “We are extremely excited this partnership is beginning to take on and address the teacher shortage in our region. Northeast State is about to embark on a new journey in the apprenticeship world, we are excited to have this partnership with these two counties.”

In order to be a teacher in the state of Tennessee, one must have a bachelor’s degree in education and have a practitioner teacher license. This apprenticeship agreement will help future teachers work toward these credentials. Once selected as a candidate for the apprenticeship, students will begin earning an associate degree through Northeast State Community College and then enter a transfer pathway to begin working toward a bachelor’s degree. The pathways available within the apprenticeship are Early Childhood Education and two different Pre-Teacher Education pathways for elementary and secondary education.

Angie Wills, who is the supervisor of K-6, Curriculum & Instruction/Federal Programs at Johnson County Schools, said one of the benefits to this apprenticeship is that the apprentices will stay within the counties: “When they get their teaching certificates, they will be teaching with us and staying in our counties. We are choosing our best teaching assistants to enter the program.”

For more information about Northeast State Community College, visit the school’s website.