DAYTONA BEACH, FLA (April 10, 2024) – Daytona State College is launching a new apprenticeship program in Fall 2024 that will allow select school district employees in Volusia, Flagler and Brevard counties to pursue a career in teaching while continuing in their full-time positions.
The program is supported through a $5 million statewide Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant aimed at designing a Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeship Program intended to open the teaching profession to individuals who are involved in the field but otherwise might not consider becoming credentialed.
“Florida is dealing with a shortage of teaching professionals and this program gives qualified school employees a flexible, free option to become fully certified teachers in as little as two years,” said Dr. Tom LoBasso, President of Daytona State College. “The program is designed to allow employees to balance work, life and school, and graduates will have the exact same degree, certifications and endorsements as those earned by graduates of Daytona State’s School of Education.”
Graduates receive either a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education or a Bachelor of Science in Exceptional Student Education, depending on the degree path they select.
The School of Education is collaborating with school districts in Volusia, Flagler and Brevard counties to develop the program, curriculum and related technical instruction. DSC School of Education alumni, Madison Miller, Volusia County’s Florida Teacher of the Year and current Assistant Principal, and Shari Goodenough, the kindergarten through fifth grade mathematics specialist for Volusia County, are consulting as content matter experts on the program.
Each school district will select candidates for the teacher apprenticeship program. Selected candidates will train alongside a mentor teacher, gaining hands-on experience while maintaining full time employment and receiving full pay.
“Hands-on experience in a supportive learning environment is an invaluable component of applying the knowledge acquired in teacher education,” said Dr. Ana Blaine, a professor in the School of Education who also oversees DSC’s internship programs. “Traditionally, students are required to spend one full semester of student teaching in a classroom before they graduate. However, the feedback we receive indicates that an immersive practical experience is one of the most valuable aspects preparing candidates for a career in teaching, and the apprenticeship program will significantly increase the on-the-job training component.”
The first cohort will begin in Fall 2024 and will combine a mix of fully online courses at Daytona State with shadowing experiences alongside their mentor teacher in their respective school. Prior to completing the program, students will be required to take and pass the Florida Teacher Certification Exams to be awarded a Florida professional teaching certificate.
School district employees interested in participating in the program should contact their Human Resources office.
