Collaborating with North Dakota on a new apprenticeship program for teacher leaders

North Dakota has become the first state to secure approval from the U.S. Department of Labor for a new apprenticeship program for teacher leaders. The project is being developed with the support of Arizona State University’s Next Education Workforce™ initiative, which has been working with school districts and states that are developing team-based staffing models. 
 
The model North Dakota is pursuing offers an alternative approach to the “one teacher, one classroom” model by emphasizing collaborative teams led by a certified lead teacher, a role that involves guiding colleagues and leading teams while still working directly with students. These educators complete 10 courses, demonstrate their learning by earning micro-credentials aligned with the competencies of the role, and earn a lead teacher certificate. The Next Education Workforce team is supporting this effort by:

• Informing the competencies that define what it means to be a lead teacher.
• Providing professional learning to lead teachers for this apprenticeship through courses that will be made available through ASU’s Professional Educator Learning Hub.
• Hosting a site visit for lead teachers, school and system leaders to deepen their understanding of the lead teacher role within team-based staffing models.

R. Lennon Audrain, the head of innovation and policy initiatives with Next Education Workforce, and a research assistant professor with ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, shares more about the collaboration: 

In a press release, North Dakota State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler announced that Fargo and Northern Cass schools will pilot the program this fall, with 15 teachers beginning specialized training. Baesler shared that through this approach, students receive more thorough, comprehensive, and personalized instruction, while teachers have less pressure and more peer support in their jobs, as well as new opportunities for advancement.

The Next Education Workforce initiative is based out of ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton College for Teaching and Learning Innovation, which is a top-ranked college of education recognized nationally for its graduate and online programs. Professional learning, developed by Next Education Workforce, will be provided through ASU’s Professional Educator Learning Hub. The hub, also part of the college,  is a centralized resource for educators nationally to specialize and advance in their profession.