Grow Your Own Teacher Pathway with Registered Teacher Apprenticeship
Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Department of Education
“The best teachers for your community are already in your community.”
SWOSU’s Grow Your Own – Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program is a flexible, innovative pathway designed to help school districts develop, support, and retain high-quality educators from within their own workforce.
Through a powerful collaboration between the SWOSU Department of Education, the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center (OPSRC), and local school districts, this program provides a debt-conscious, job-embedded route to teacher certification—while apprentices earn a paycheck and gain real-world experience from day one.
What Is a Registered Teacher Apprenticeship?
A Registered Teacher Apprenticeship is a nationally recognized pathway approved through the U.S. Department of Labor that combines:
- College coursework (SWOSU)
- Paid, on-the-job classroom experience (your district)
- Mentorship from experienced educators
- Competency-based progression toward certification
This model allows aspiring teachers to learn while they earn—removing barriers and building strong, sustainable teacher pipelines.
Who Is This Program For?
This pathway is ideal for:
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Paraprofessionals & teacher aides
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Emergency/alternative certified teachers
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Career changers already working in schools
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High school graduates interested in education careers
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Community members committed to serving local students
Key Benefits
For School Districts
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✔ Build a customized teacher pipeline
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✔ Address teacher shortages in high-need areas
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✔ Increase retention of local educators
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✔ Partner in designing job-embedded training
For Apprentices
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✔ Earn while you learn (paid position in your district)
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✔ Reduced tuition through scholarships & support opportunities
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✔ Personalized advising and flexible scheduling
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✔ Hands-on experience from day one
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✔ Pathway to full teacher certification
How It Works
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District Partnership Development
SWOSU and OPSRC work with your district to design a pathway aligned to your workforce needs. -
Apprentice Recruitment & Selection
Identify candidates within your district or community. -
On-the-Job Learning
Apprentices work in classrooms while developing instructional skills. -
Coursework at SWOSU
Flexible, high-quality coursework aligned with CAEP and state standards. -
Mentorship & Coaching
Experienced teachers support apprentice growth through structured feedback. -
Competency-Based Progression
Apprentices demonstrate skills aligned to professional teaching standards. -
Teacher Certification
Graduates complete requirements for Oklahoma teacher certification.
Our Partners
This initiative is made possible through collaboration with:
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Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU)
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Oklahoma Public School Resource Center (OPSRC)
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Participating School Districts across Oklahoma
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U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship System
Why Grow Your Own?
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Strengthens community connections
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Supports diverse and representative teacher workforce
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Creates sustainable solutions to teacher shortages
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Builds educators who are committed to your students, your schools, your future
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you are a district leader, current school employee, or future educator, we are ready to walk alongside you.
Contact Us Today!
📧 Robyn Randol, Director of Registered Teacher Apprenticeship
📞 580.774.3104
"When we invest in people already serving children, we don’t just fill positions—we build a legacy of educators who know, love, and lead their communities."