State opens applications for 40 more slots in teacher apprenticeship program

March 21, 2026 - 19:26

State education officials have announced the opening of applications for an additional forty slots in South Dakota's innovative teacher apprenticeship initiative. This expansion aims to directly tackle the ongoing teacher shortage by creating a new pathway for paraprofessionals already working in schools to become fully certified teachers.

The program allows paraprofessionals to earn a salary and benefits from their employing school district while completing their teaching degree and required classroom training. This "learn while you earn" model is designed to remove financial barriers for aspiring educators, particularly in rural areas where staffing challenges are often most acute. Candidates must be currently employed by a participating South Dakota school district to be eligible.

This second cohort follows a successful initial pilot, reinforcing the state's commitment to growing its own educator workforce. By leveraging the experience of existing paraprofessionals who are familiar with their schools and communities, the program seeks to build a stable, long-term solution to staffing vacancies. The initiative represents a key strategy in ensuring all South Dakota classrooms have access to qualified instructional staff.