Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeship Baccalaureate Program

2024
Miami Dade College
https://www.mdc.edu/
FloridaCarmen S. Concepción
High Level of Learning, Affordability, Regional Significance and Labor Market Alignment
Miami Dade College (MDC) is the first academic institution in Florida to be named an Apprenticeship Ambassador by the US Department of Labor. Offering several occupations, MDC hosts the highest number of Registered Apprenticeship Programs of any educational institution in the State of Florida. The College currently offers 20 Registered Apprenticeship Programs, including the Teacher Assistant Pre-Apprenticeship Program and the Teacher Assistant Apprenticeship Program, both focusing on Early Childhood Education.

Building on the success of these two programs, the MDC School of Education (SOE) is pioneering a Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeship Baccalaureate Program, designed to address the critical shortage of qualified teachers in our community and to elevate the standards of teacher preparation. Our program distinguishes itself through its commitment to competency-based instruction and experiential learning, innovative approaches that prioritize the acquisition of specific skills and knowledge over traditional time-based educational models, leading to high impact in educational outcomes. This program is founded on principles of rigor and excellence, ensuring that our graduates are not only well-prepared but also leaders in educational innovation.

The Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeship Baccalaureate Program strengthens MDC SOE’s teacher pipeline by creating a no-cost apprenticeship pathway to the teaching profession. In December 2023, MDC received the Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant for the Teacher Apprenticeship Program. This award, totaling approximately one million dollars, will enhance our teacher preparation programs, enabling us to create and refine pathways that will lead aspiring educators toward fulfilling careers. In partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS), MDC anticipates enrolling over 260 registered teacher apprentices over the next three years. The first cohort will be 80 students. These teacher apprentices will be hired by MDCPS as educational paraprofessionals and placed in the classrooms of highly effective mentor teachers. They will receive an annual base salary of $35,000 and the applicable Referendum Retirement Accruing Supplement. Mentor teachers will also be paid a stipend of $3,500 annually.

This workforce pipeline creates a seamless pathway from education to employment that enhances both teacher preparedness and student achievement. The program effectively supports aspiring educators in their journey towards fulfilling careers, emphasizing the development of critical skills and competencies needed in today’s educational landscape. This new pathway to the teaching profession emphasizes hands-on training by working directly within classrooms to gain the necessary experience to earn a bachelor’s degree and an educator certificate in Florida in the following areas: Exceptional Student Education (ESE) K-12, Early Childhood Education (ECE) Birth-Grade 3, Secondary Mathematics Education 6-12, Secondary Biology Education 6-12. Students in the ESE program will graduate with their Reading and ESOL Endorsements. Students in the ECE program will graduate with their Reading, ESOL, and Pre-K Disabilities Endorsements. The Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeship Baccalaureate Program at Miami Dade College represents a strategic initiative aimed at transforming education through a rigorous, innovative, and experiential approach. By investing in the training and development of future educators, we are investing in the future of our community and beyond, ensuring that our graduates are equipped to lead and inspire the next generations with confidence and skill.
Apprenticeships, Teacher Education