Оклахома выделила 500 тысяч долларов на программу подготовки учителей через стажировку в SWOSU

Oklahoma invests in SWOSU Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway for school employees WEATHERFORD, Okla. (KOKH) — Oklahoma is investing in Southwestern Oklahoma State University's (SWOSU) Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway, a program supporting school employees as they work to become fully certified. Through TeachForwardOK, the pathway program is receiving $500,000 to help paraprofessionals earn bachelor's degrees and become fully certified teachers while continuing to serve their communities. SWOSU said the investment will help prepare more teachers for Oklahoma classrooms while helping school districts develop educators from within their own schools. Apprentices complete 60 college credits before entering the program, then work in paired positions with partner districts while continuing SWOSU coursework. The one- to two-year internship replaces traditional student teaching, and apprentices graduate with a bachelor’s degree and meet Oklahoma teacher certification requirements, according to SWOSU. The funding will support direct program delivery covering tuition and book costs for apprentices, stipends for mentor teachers, and the continued operation and development of the program, according to SWOSU. The university said the funds will directly support at least 37 apprentices working toward their teacher certification. “This funding removes barriers that have kept talented individuals from becoming teachers while giving rural districts the opportunity to grow their own educators alongside the university,” said Robyn Randol, SWOSU director of Registered Teacher Apprenticeship. “Together, we are creating a stronger, more accessible pathway into teaching and a sustainable teacher pipeline for rural Oklahoma.” “The Registered Teacher Apprenticeship pathway represents exactly what is possible when universities, schools, and community partners come together around a shared need,” said Marla Pankratz, chair of the SWOSU Department of Education. “I am incredibly proud of the leadership and extraordinary work of Robyn Randol and our Department of Education faculty, who have embraced this innovative pathway and the students it serves. Ultimately, this is an investment not only in teachers, but in Oklahoma’s youngest children, their families, and the communities they call home.” For more local news delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter by clicking here.