Apprentice Pathway
The Utah Registered Apprenticeship Program for Teachers (U-RAPT) has two phases, the pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship. In each of these phases, an individual is learning to become a teacher while working in a Utah public school. The U-RAPT is the newest lane on the Utah Road to Teaching.
The main difference between the Apprenticeship Program (U-RAPT), Alternative Pathway to Professional Educator License (APPEL) and a traditional university teaching program is the sequence of employment and training.
- Apprenticeship programs allow you to work in a school in a non-teacher job, learning how to be a teacher while completing concurrent college coursework. When you finish the apprenticeship you will have a bachelor's degree and professional license.
- APPEL is an "on-the-job" model for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree; you are hired as a full-time, salaried teacher under a temporary license and complete your training while you work.
- Traditional programs typically require you to complete several years of university coursework and a student-teaching semester before being eligible for a professional license and a full-time job.
Pre-Apprentice
In the U-RAPT program, a pre-apprentice is someone who is interested in becoming a teacher and is on their way to earning the required associate's degree to apply for an apprenticeship. Pre-apprentices will:
- Gain classroom experience: They will work in a school setting, likely as a paraprofessional, to get firsthand experience in the classroom with a qualified paraeducator journeyworker.
- Work towards an associate's degree: Pre-apprentices will take college courses to earn the equivalent of an associate's degree (around 42 credits).
- Develop foundational skills to provide classroom support: Pre-apprentices will work closely with a paraeducator journeyworker (an experienced paraprofessional) to learn basic teaching skills and demonstrate competency in the Utah Standards for Instructional Paraeducators.
Essentially, the pre-apprenticeship helps aspiring teachers build a solid foundation for their future teaching career by combining classroom experience with college coursework. Once they complete the pre-apprenticeship, they can apply to the full apprenticeship program to earn their bachelor's degree and teaching license.
To apply, contact one of the U-RAPT partner districts or charter schools.
Links
Apprentice
In the U-RAPT program, an apprentice is someone who has already earned an associate's degree (or equivalent) and is now working towards becoming a fully licensed teacher in Utah. Here's what being an apprentice involves:
- Paid, on-the-job training: Apprentices work in a classroom with a qualified mentor journeyworker teacher, getting hands-on experience in all aspects of teaching while earning a competitive wage.
- Simultaneous college coursework: They take college courses related to their chosen teaching area (like Elementary Education or Special Education) to complete their bachelor's degree.
- Demonstrating competencies: They work to demonstrate 37 General Teacher Preparation Competencies, showing they have the skills and knowledge to be effective teachers.
- Mentorship: They receive guidance and support from their mentor journeyworker teacher, who is an experienced educator with additional training in coaching or mentoring.
In this structured pathway to becoming a teacher where apprentices learn both the theory and practice of teaching at the same time, with support and compensation along the way. Once they successfully complete the apprenticeship, they will have earned their bachelor's degree and be eligible for a Utah professional teaching license.
To apply, contact one of the U-RAPT partner districts or charter schools.
Links
Contact
U-RAPT Support Team
801-538-7700