Teacher apprenticeship programs recognize these qualities in school support staff and leverage them to address teacher shortages, target critical subject areas and offer professional development opportunities that cater to their target audience.

School support staff are intelligent and motivated individuals. Nearly all substitute teachers are dedicated to staying in K-12 education, and paraprofessionals want more out of their careers. For example, only 20 percent say they are satisfied with their professional development opportunities.

ParaPreppED is a program created to tap into that motivation. An NJDOE-funded teacher apprenticeship initiative, ParaPreppED helps districts support college-degree-holding paraprofessionals and substitutes in becoming full-time licensed K-12 teachers.

Rutgers Alternate Route candidates know there is more than one way to become certified full-time teachers. New Jersey substitute teachers and paraprofessionals are about to learn another—one that is specifically tailored to them.

In 2021, teacher apprenticeship programs began forming to address the growing teacher shortage. Data from the Learning Policy Institute discovered that roughly 406,964 provisionally licensed teachers still need to be fully certified, prompting action from state and federal governments.

Creating safe and inclusive learning environments is paramount for students' academic success and social-emotional well-being. A recent social media chat highlighted the importance of equipping educators, especially new teachers, with effective strategies to reduce incidents of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) in schools.

Support roles in education offer more than just support—they are a lifeline for schools, administrators, teachers and students. Studies have shown having a paraprofessional in the classroom can reduce teacher turnover and improve student outcomes. Likewise, substitute teachers are integral to promoting and maintaining student success.