Photo Caption: Amy Heavin

ANGOLA, Ind. (09/24/2024) — The transition to teaching program through Trine University's Franks School of Education, known as Trine's Education Apprenticeship Model (TEAM), has been approved as a registered teacher apprenticeship program (RTAP) through the U.S. Department of Labor.

The designation means those in Trine's program can receive federal funding to help offset tuition costs as they work to become a teacher.

Since many districts choose to cover the tuition in Trine's program as professional development, the RTAP funding has allowed some of those districts to hire and enroll more students.

Those who complete a RTAP also receive a nationally recognized Apprentice Certificate through the Department of Labor.

"It is a great way for those wishing to become teachers to pursue the occupation," said Amy Heavin, Ph.D., director of Transition to Teaching for Trine.

Designed as apprenticeship

Heavin said Trine's Transition to Teaching program was designed as an apprenticeship from the beginning.

"Our students are taking classes while teaching with an emergency permit in most cases, and so they are fully immersed in the occupation while working in that role," she said. "This is the true essence of an apprenticeship - full-time employment in school districts in Indiana, supported by clinical educators as mentors in those districts, on-the-job training, and their coursework through Trine as the related instruction."

The Franks School of Education decided to pursue approval as an RTAP this past spring, after ensuring the TEAM model worked with its current partners.

To date, the program has seen 100% of its students pass rate for pedagogy exams of those who have taken the test for their teaching licensure.

Looking to expand

RTAP apprenticeships have two main elements: on-the-job training and related instruction.

"Organizations, employers, etc. can become sponsors of an apprenticeship, which means that the sponsor helps to coordinate all the aspects of the program, from securing employment, mentorship, on-the-job training and the related instruction," Heavin said.

In the case of TEAM, Trine University is the sponsor, with Heavin coordinating all aspects of the apprenticeship. Heavin also works with state Workforce Development Boards to find funding to help offset the cost of tuition.

In addition, Trine is the related instruction provider for the program.

Currently, Trine is working with Region 3 of Indiana's Workforce Development Board to serve 16 apprentices from five of its partner school districts as an RTAP.

Heavin hopes that number will soon grow.

"We want to help districts locate more teachers through alternative means, and being a RTAP can help locate funding and support to help," said Heavin. "Our goal is to expand our reach for RTAP to other regions in the state."