Center for Reigniting the Educator Workforce
Apprenticeships Support Texas’ Broader Educator Workforce Goals
Texas school districts are increasingly relying on uncertified teachers - 56% of the 30,000 new-to-the profession hires in 2024 lacked certification, according to the Texas Education Agency
Meanwhile, nearly 379,000 high school graduates and over 82,000 paraprofessionals remain an underutilized talent pool.
of educational aides become certified teachers overs a 10-year period, and interest in teaching continues to decline.
Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeships Can Help
Teacher apprenticeships are strategic and sustainable Grow Your Own (GYO) pathways that help school systems build a community-rooted educator workforce. GYO programs recruit and support future teachers from local talent pools—such as high school students, paraprofessionals, and community members—and guide them through accessible, affordable, and supported pathways into the teaching profession.
This approach offers a structured, paid, and job-embedded pathway to teacher certification. It emphasizes mentorship, on-the-job learning, and aligned coursework to ensure participants are well-prepared to meet the needs of their future classrooms.
GYO teacher apprenticeship pathways represent a long-term workforce strategy grounded in partnerships among school districts, institutions of higher education, educator preparation programs, workforce boards, and community organizations. They are especially impactful in high-need areas such as bilingual education, special education, and rural schools—roles that often experience persistent vacancies.
Aspiring Educator Stories
Nicole W.
Paraprofessional, Richardson ISD
The (apprenticeship) program has helped by offering support, financial resources, and a community of peers. It made the path to becoming a teacher more manageable and gave me the confidence to keep going.
Shaletha B.
Paraprofessional, Lewisville ISD
Being in the classroom every day made me want to take it a step further and become a certified teacher so I can lead my own class and have an even greater impact.
Raven J
Paraprofessional, Uplift Education
Right now the world needs true, loyal, and genuine teachers to lead our students to success.