New Program Helps Teachers Earn Credit, Experience

Published August 29, 2025

The Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship is a four-year, competency-based pathway designed for both newly hired teachers with no classroom experience or college credit, as well as current educators already working in the field with existing college credit. Through this program, Dodge City area schools create individualized, on-the-job training plans that align with each educator’s development needs. This hands-on approach allows participants to advance their teaching careers and complete their degrees through a new partnership between the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and Dodge City Community College (DC3). [Photo courtesy of DC3]

Through a new initiative, Dodge City Community College (DC3) is collaborating with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) to provide scholarships and mentoring opportunities for teachers seeking to advance their careers in elementary and secondary education.

Known as the Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship, the program is a four-year, competency-based pathway designed for both newly hired teachers with no classroom experience or college credit, as well as current educators who are already on the job and have existing college credit.

“If newly hired apprentices have no classroom experience and no college credit, it will probably take them four years to complete the program,” Annel Gonzales, DC3 Teacher Education Program Coordinator, said. “If the apprentices do have prior experience and college credit, then the program could take less time.”

Through the program, school districts build an on-the-job training plan based on the teacher’s training rubric. Therefore, the apprentice learns, practices, and becomes proficient with all of the competencies required to be a teacher.

Gonzales said that apprentices are also assigned a mentor teacher, who holds a professional license, to help guide them during the process.

“In addition, at least once a semester, the district will evaluate and observe them to ensure that they are making progress in their on-the-job learning and bachelor’s degree plans,” she said. “All in all, it’s a really great ‘grow-your-own solution’ for area schools to help fill teacher vacancies.”

To help offset costs, apprentices will also receive yearly tuition assistance, depending on available funding allotments. These funds, which will be granted to the district, will be coordinated and distributed by the corresponding university or community college, in this case, DC3. Any money not used for tuition can be applied to books and supplies.

“For individuals who are currently working for Dodge City Public Schools as a paraprofessional or substitute teacher, the apprenticeship program can be a substantial cost savings, as participants are working on-the-job in our community, while they are completing their degrees,” Gonzales said.

For more information on the Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, contact Annel Gonzales at agonzales@dc3.edu or (620) 227-9434.

By Lance Ziesch
DC3 Director of Marketing and Public Relations