Horne targets teacher shortage crisis with apprenticeship program

Pilot program includes mentoring, professional development

PHOENIX – A new pilot program focused on apprenticeships for aspiring educators is targeted to reduce the teacher shortage crisis in Arizona, according to Superintendent Tom Horne.

The Arizona Teacher Registered Apprenticeship Program (AZ TRAP), developed in collaboration with the Arizona Office of Apprenticeship, offers a path to certification for little to no cost, more experience in classroom teaching, and a way of earning a wage while participating in the program.

Horne stated, “There is a crisis in Arizona, and we must take strong action. We are losing more teachers than are coming into the profession. If we don’t do something major, we could end up with zero teachers. There remains a need to focus on better teacher pay and for administrators to support teachers in student discipline, but apprenticeship programs are another tool to be used.”

He added, “Apprenticeships can help address this crisis is by encouraging the development of more educators. The AZTRAP apprenticeship program will increase accessibility to earning an Arizona teacher certification. The Arizona Department of Education is a service-oriented agency, and this effort is part of my commitment to training quality educators for Arizona classrooms.”

The program has secured $1.5 million in funding from the Maricopa County Workforce Development Board to support apprentices working in Maricopa County for the 2025-2026 school year.

Key Features include:

• A pilot program with Mesa Public Schools, Phoenix Union High School District, The Arizona Teacher Residency Program, and PLC Charter Schools. They will act as the employers of teacher apprentices and partners with the Arizona Department of Education.
   
• A pipeline of educators allowing future educators to gain thousands of hours of on-the-job learning with a mentor teacher, allowing them to develop invaluable classroom skills for longer periods of time.
   
• Grow Your Own Model: Allows school sites to select prospective employees and integrate them into their school culture and staff. Integrating educators earlier and with more intent will increase educator retention, keeping more quality teachers in the classroom.