Orlando, FL – On May 2, officials from Valencia College and schools in Orange and Osceola Counties released details about a new apprenticeship program for college students who want to become teachers. Announced at the university’s West Campus, the new internships will allow students to work in schools as teaching assistants while earning their bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Valencia College.
The program will begin in 2025, although students who earn an Associate of Arts degree could begin working as professionals in the fall of 2024. They will begin earning credit for their work experience beginning in 2025, officials said. .
“As Central Florida continues to grow, so will the need for teachers. That’s why it’s critical for us as a community to find solutions to the teacher shortage,” said Dr. Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College. “We believe this is an innovative solution that will be a great fit for many of our students.”
“The apprenticeship program allows students to work full-time while studying for their teaching qualifications, while gaining valuable classroom experience. That combination can be a powerful motivator,” Plinsk said.
Under the program, which was approved by the State Board of Education in March, students will receive credits for learning and working under the guidance of an experienced teacher. In addition to the credit they receive for that experience, they will also take online classes to complete the rest of their degree requirements.
Valencia College officials said students in the apprenticeship program will be able to complete their bachelor’s degree for less than $10,000.
For school districts, the joint announcement comes at a critical time. The state teacher shortage is affecting both school districts.
In Osceola County, where school district officials have traveled to Puerto Rico to hire teachers, administrators praised the new learning program.
Combined, Orange and Osceola schools need about 500 new elementary teachers each year. Valencia College officials believe that this program could produce 180 new teachers by 2028.
To attract students to the new program, the districts and Valencia College also announced an upcoming open house on July 9, where students can learn more about the new degree and apprenticeship program.
Get primary education apprenticeships and a pathway to a teaching degree
Orlando, FL – On May 2, officials from Valencia College and Orange County and Osceola schools released details about a new apprenticeship program for college students who want to become teachers. Announced at the college’s West Campus, the new apprenticeships will allow students to work in schools as classroom professionals while earning their bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Valencia College.
The program is expected to begin in 2025 – although students who earn an Associate of Arts degree can begin working as professionals in the fall of 2024. They will begin earning credit for their work experience starting in 2025, officials said.
“As Central Florida continues to grow, so will the need for teachers. That is why it is critical for us as a community to find solutions to the teacher shortage,” said Dr. Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College. “We believe this is an innovative solution that will be a good fit for many of our students.”
The apprenticeship program allows students to work full-time while studying for their teaching degrees – all while gaining valuable classroom experience. That combination may be a powerful motivator, Plinsk said.
Under the program, which was approved by the State Board of Education in March, students will receive credit for studying and working under the guidance of an experienced classroom teacher. In addition to the credit they receive for that experience, they will also take online classes to complete the rest of their degree requirements.
Valencia College officials said students in the apprenticeship program will be able to complete their bachelor’s degree for less than $10,000.
For school districts, the joint announcement comes at a critical time. The statewide teacher shortage is affecting both school districts.
In Osceola County, where school district officials have traveled as far as Puerto Rico to hire teachers, administrators praised the new apprenticeship program.
Combined, Orange and Osceola schools need about 500 new elementary teachers each year. Valencia College officials believe that this program could produce 180 new teachers by 2028.
To attract students to the new program, the districts and Valencia College also announced an upcoming open house on July 9, where students will learn more about the new bachelor’s degree and the apprenticeship program.
2024-05-13 18:40:58
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