Natalia Torres, who serves as a special education paraprofessional at Willmar Public Schools, dedicates her efforts to assisting students with special needs. Her motivation stems from witnessing the positive impact that she, alongside other paraprofessionals and special education teachers, has on students. Torres aspires to ensure all students feel valued and loved, driven by her personal experiences with her brother, who has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and often faced misunderstandings regarding his behavior.
Through a new teacher apprenticeship program spearheaded by Willmar Public Schools in collaboration with Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Torres has found a pathway to further her career and become a qualified teacher. After three years in special education, she aims to transition to a role where she can make significant contributions to enhance student learning. Currently, her capacity to influence decisions is limited, but as a teacher, she hopes to have greater impact on the educational experiences of her students.
The apprenticeship program is tailored for individuals like Torres, providing an alternative route to becoming a licensed teacher. It allows participants to remain in Willmar, working full-time while pursuing the necessary training and education. Rather than relocating for studies, individuals will collaborate closely with local teachers, gaining hands-on experience in classrooms.
Elizabeth Windingstad, Director of Human Resources at Willmar Public Schools, emphasizes the program’s accessibility. Open to individuals without an associate degree, it offers a three-year apprenticeship, integrating job-based learning with classroom instruction. Participants will ultimately earn a four-year degree from SMSU, with licenses in elementary education and academic behavioral strategy, a special education focus.
The program’s estimated first-year cost is $1.3 million, primarily funded by grants, with the potential for tuition-free participation in the future. Apprentices will engage in daily classroom involvement alongside continued educational courses, ensuring preparedness for graduation. The program maintains the rigorous standards of a traditional four-year teacher licensure process, meeting all Minnesota state requirements.
Melissa Wilson, Director of Student Services at Willmar Public Schools, assures that the program’s rigor matches that of conventional teacher training, thanks to a collaborative effort with SMSU. Participants will complete both general education and specialized coursework, combining online and on-the-job training.
On April 2, Willmar Public Schools inaugurated the program, welcoming the first cohort of 15 students during a signing ceremony. The initiative addresses the ongoing teacher shortage in both general and special education fields, driven by the need for qualified individuals to support vulnerable student populations.
For Torres and her colleagues, the apprenticeship program represents an opportunity to advance their careers without disrupting their current employment. It allows them to continue working while simultaneously pursuing their educational goals, alleviating the need for travel and reducing tuition expenses.
Impact on Daily Life
This innovative teacher apprenticeship program offers significant implications for both aspiring educators and the broader educational community in Willmar. By providing an accessible and flexible path to teacher certification, the program addresses the critical shortage of qualified educators in the area, particularly in special education. This shortage has created challenges for schools trying to meet the diverse needs of their students.
For individuals like Natalia Torres, the program offers a practical solution to career advancement while maintaining their current roles and responsibilities. The ability to work and study simultaneously removes traditional barriers to entering the teaching profession, such as financial constraints and geographical limitations. This approach not only benefits the participants but also enables the school district to cultivate and retain local talent, ensuring that experienced and committed individuals continue to support students in the community.
The broader community stands to gain as well, with improved access to skilled educators who can provide specialized instruction and support. This development is likely to enhance the quality of education, fostering a more inclusive and responsive learning environment for all students. Ultimately, the success of this program could serve as a model for other districts facing similar challenges, promoting a more sustainable and effective approach to teacher recruitment and retention.