The Idaho State Board of Education created the Teacher Apprenticeship program in 2024 as an alternative pathway for people to become certified teachers, with an intent to fill job openings across the state. Two years later, a few apprentices have completed the program and are ready to continue their career as certified teachers with nationally recognized credentials from the U.S. Department of Labor. They both have intentions to stay and teach in rural areas of Idaho.

Julie Goff

Goff has been working at Castleford School District for a number of years. She started as a substitute teacher, then worked with maintenance staff and kitchen staff and lastly became a paraprofessional for seven years. Her principal approached her with the Registered Apprenticeship opportunity to become a teacher and she said, “let’s do this.” She knew she was ready to continue the upward trajectory of her career.

“I didn’t want to step away to do the next thing. It made a lot of sense to say, ‘hey this program allows you to step up and help out more and provides more help at a home that you built,’” Goff said. “Rather than, quit your job and go get a four-year degree.”

Apprentices are required to complete 6,000 hours to become a certified teacher with a combination of school work from a college and in-classroom teaching during the span of the program. However, with Goff’s previous experience as a paraprofessional, she only had to complete 2,000 hours.

Some apprentices finish the program in three years. In Goff’s case – it was two. During this time, she worked with 3rd graders and continued to work with the same class for their 4th grade year.

“The connections you get to make with these kids…I actually worked with these same kids as a paraprofessional in kindergarten and first grade,” Goff said. “This group of students is really special to me because I have been with them for so long.”

Goff said during her apprenticeship, she would plan lessons with her mentor teacher and teach students on her own. It was a consistent process of preparing for the lesson and receiving feedback on how it was taught.

“For me, that was a really great way to learn – because I could apply what I learned as a paraprofessional with my classroom management strategies and keep on applying it. I didn’t have to start so slow in my situation,” Goff said. “I was ready to go and was ready for that challenge.”

In addition, she had to complete modules with the College of Southern Idaho teaching her things like how to set up a classroom, how to react when a student misbehaves, how to design a lesson and other topics.

“The requirements for the Registered Apprenticeship program…the things you learn are what you need to know,” Goff said. “They provided so many resources for the modules to go and explore these resources and see what is most helpful for your situation.”

After receiving her official certification, Goff plans to continue her work at Castleford School District with the students and teach 4th grade. Her plans are to leave a legacy at the school and retire there someday.

“I have been here for so long and the people and the community are so supportive and proactive. I fit in here,” Goff said.

Little did she know finding a school for her daughter years before, would evolve into a career and home.

“From day one — from before I even worked there — I knew it was a great district. So, to be able to be there and work there, that’s where I want to be and where I want to stay,” Goff said.

Jenny Hoop

Hoop has been working at Hagerman Elementary for 17 years in different aspects of the school, including being a paraprofessional. Once she heard about the program from her superintendent, she knew she wanted to pursue the opportunity. She said becoming a teacher just fell into place. And the program provided a cheaper and more accessible route for her to advance her career.

“I could still be a mom and not worry about where I had to get the money to pay for it,” Hoop said. “Most of my apprenticeship was paid for by the Idaho Department of Labor and grants. I had to pay very minimal out of pocket, which was really nice.”

Hoop taught reading classes, phonics, math groups and was also in charge of the computer lab as well as taught computer science and typing. She also taught social-emotional classes. She worked with grades K-6 during her Registered Apprenticeship and completed the program in a little over two years. With her previous paraprofessional experience, she completed 2,000 hours to get her certification.

“I learned how to be a teacher, but I also got hands-on knowledge of actually being in the classroom with students while I was learning,” Hoop said. “Now that I am certified, I can go and feel more confident in myself that ‘hey I am a good teacher, and I am going to be a great teacher.”’

During the program, apprentices have a chance to interact and learn from each other. Hoop said it was a key highlight of her Registered Apprenticeship experience.

“I really enjoyed our Zoom classes where we got to interact with the other apprentices, and asked questions about certain things in the classroom,” Hoop said. “Just that camaraderie that we are all learning and in the same situation.”

Moving forward, Hoop hopes to stay in Hagerman and continue what she is doing.

“I think it’s great when you find a place you really enjoy being,” Hoop said.

How to get involved

Goff and Hoop both recommend the program to other paraprofessionals in Idaho that have been in the industry for a while, to advance their skills and become a teacher. They highly encourage paraprofessionals to speak to their administrators to find out how they can participate in the program.

“Find a good school to work in, love the kids and the more you can interact with good teachers and get their input is amazing,” Hoop said. “I work with a great group of people and they were supportive.”

Goff agreed and tells people who participate in the program to not be afraid to ask questions or ask for help during the process.

“That is where the strength of this program lies, is how many people are in your corner and making sure that you are successful,” Goff said.

People who are interested in pursuing the Registered Apprenticeship program to become a teacher can work directly with their school, who will then connect them with the Idaho Division of Career Technical Education.

To learn more about Registered Apprenticeship and connect to other opportunities visit apprenticeshipidaho.gov.

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The Idaho Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship program is 100% funded for SFY26 by the U.S. Department of Labor as part of Apprenticeship Idaho’s State Apprenticeship Expansion Equity and Innovation grant totaling $323,647.

Lindsay Trombly, Public Information Specialist

Idaho Department of Labor