 National Grow Your Own Conference
Join NCGYO and the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) for the 3rd Annual National Convening on Registered Apprenticeships in Teaching taking place Jan. 28-30, 2026, in New Orleans.
This convening will feature an expanded lineup of engaging keynote speakers, thought-provoking general sessions, and over 30 concurrent breakout sessions. Presentations will be led by practitioners across the country including state departments of education, EPPs, and school districts who are actively working to plan, fund, implement and grow Registered Apprenticeship programs in teaching.
This event will sell out so register early. To see the agenda and registration information, click below.
New Lead Teacher Apprenticeship Approved
On Aug. 26, 2025, NDDPI received official notification from the USDOL that our application for a Lead Teacher Apprenticeship was approved. North Dakota is the first state in the Nation to get approved for the Lead Teacher occupation. The notification can be accessed here.
The approach emphasizes a team-based approach, with teachers sharing a roster of students in lieu of the historical one teacher, one classroom model,
Fargo and Northern Cass school districts will be piloting the program during the 2025-26 school year with 15 teachers in the two districts receiving specialized training in the method this fall.
Anyone interested in learning more can register below for an upcoming webinar on Oct. 3, 2025, at 12 p.m. CDT.
North Dakota’s RAP-T Program Strengthens Teacher Pipeline
Led by NDDPI, North Dakota’s RAP-T continues to be a trailblazer for teacher apprenticeships. Designed to build a stronger, more sustainable educator workforce in North Dakota, RAP-T has grown from a single-district pilot to a statewide initiative now embraced by 46 school districts. Over 120 apprentices have entered the pipeline, with the first completers in spring 2025 eligible to apply for state licensure.
RAP-T’s success is driven by a collaborative network of six EPPs across the state. These institutions partner closely with multiple school districts to deliver coursework, mentoring, and academic support that apprentices need to progress from paraprofessional roles to licensed teaching positions.
A few new enrollments spaces remain for the upcoming term. RAP-T covers all tuition, books, fees, licensure test vouchers, background checks, and licensure fees. Interested paraprofessionals are encouraged to contact participating EPPs for details on available spots and application procedures.
| EPP |
Spaces Available |
License Field(s) |
Contacts |
| Certification Central |
7 |
SPED |
Dr. Lynne Chalmers |
| Dickinson State University |
2 now, 1 in January |
Elementary |
Dr. Joan Aus |
| Mayville State University |
Full |
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| University of Mary |
Full |
|
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| Valley City State University |
17 |
Elementary, Elementary with SPED |
Dr. Allen Burgad |
| Western Governors University |
Full |
|
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Teacher Apprentice Balances Family, Work, and Education to Pursue Her Dream
Steffani Johnson, a paraprofessional at Bismarck High School, is turning her passion for education into a teaching career by becoming a licensed special education teacher. She enrolled in the fall of 2024 at the University of Mary, and is a participant of the RAP-T.
Steffani’s journey began at Minot State University, where she studied elementary education before stepping away to raise her children. After relocating to Bismarck, she obtained a substitute teaching license and took on a long-term sub position at Bismarck High. It was there she discovered her passion for working with high school students—a realization that reignited her goal of becoming a teacher.
As a single mother of six, Steffani knew traditional pathways wouldn’t work. “There was no other way to meet my goal,” she said, emphasizing the importance of online coursework and financial support. Through the apprenticeship program, even her textbooks are covered—an essential benefit that she describes as a blessing.
Despite the challenges of balancing full-time work, parenting, and a full courseload, Steffani remains deeply committed. “The biggest challenge is the pull I feel in all directions,” she shared. Yet, she finds strength and motivation in her students. “The rewards are the relationships I build with them.”
Her advice to others considering the RAP-T is simple and heartfelt: “Do it! It is well worth all the work to achieve your goal to teach.”
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SPED Paraprofessional Training Project
NDDPI’s Office of Specially Designed Services, in partnership with the South East Education Cooperative (SEEC), has launched the Paraprofessional Training Project to support professional growth for certified Special Education (SPED) paraprofessionals. Through this initiative, certified SPED paraprofessionals can receive compensation for completing up to three courses from the Paraprofessional Training Project Catalog. While designed to enhance existing district trainings, these courses are not intended to replace the areas of preparation needed to earn the Special Education Paraprofessional Certificate and are open to all learners interested in building their skills.
Click here for course listings, and here for the Course Reimbursement Application Form.
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