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Newsbrief on
Grow-Your-Own Initiatives
November 2025
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The Newsbrief on Grow-Your-Own (GYO) initiatives is disseminated monthly to share critical information across the state on our various GYO programs, as well as updates on other education-related news.
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Armstrong Appoints Levi Bachmeier to Serve as Next North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction
Governor Kelly Armstrong on Oct. 21 appointed West Fargo School District Business Manager Levi Bachmeier to serve as North Dakota’s next Superintendent of Public Instruction, citing his strong track record of supporting innovation and accountability in the K-12 education system.
As a supporter of teachers and public education, Levi stated, "We all know there's no silver bullet in education. But the good news is, we don't need one-the expertise we need to lead the nation is already here in North Dakota. Programs like these help us unleash the potential of educators and students to address some of the most pressing challenges and seize emerging opportunities."
"Levi has established himself as a trusted voice and highly capable leader in K-12 education over the past decade. He played an instrumental role in the Innovative Education Task Force during his time as education policy adviser in the Governor’s Office and has continued to guide education in North Dakota through his service on the State Board of Public School Education, Career and Technical Education Board, and State Board of Higher Education,” Armstrong said. “His experience as a classroom teacher, education policy analyst and business manager in North Dakota’s fastest-growing school district will serve our students and parents well as we strive to ensure all K-12 students graduate choice-ready for college, career, or the military.”
Bachmeier has served as business manager of the West Fargo School District since 2019. From 2016 to 2019 he served as education policy adviser and policy director for then-Gov. Doug Burgum. Bachmeier previously taught high school social studies for two years with Teach for America and spent a summer as a policy analyst fellow at the U.S. Department of Education.
Bachmeier will assume the state superintendent’s role upon the resignation of current Superintendent Kirsten Baesler, who was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Oct. 7, 2025, to serve as assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education in the U.S. Department of Education. He will serve as state superintendent through the November 2026 general election, when voters will determine who completes the four-year term that runs through 2028.
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 Education Pathway Added to the Choice Ready Framework
After consulting with our statewide ESSA committee, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) made the following change to the Choice Ready Framework.
Educator Pathway: Within the workforce ready pathway, complete two credits of teaching-related coursework or two semesters of Educators Rising.
- Complete two semesters of Educators Rising
OR
- Earn two credits of any combination of the following courses:
- Teaching Professional (20084)
- Educational Methodology (20085)
- Educational Workplace Experience (20086)
- Teaching Professional (09041)
- Educational Methodology (09042)
- Cooperative Work Experience (09299)
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State PTP Program Update
NDDPI has approved and notified all 207 applicants and the eight Educator Preparation Providers (EPP) that are participating in the state Para-to-Teacher Program (PTP). Several participants have recently dropped out. Fortunately, we have a waitlist of interested applicants.
NDDPI was able to fund 10 individuals currently on the waitlist for the spring 2026 semester.
Fargo Public Schools Showcases GYO Innovation
In March 2023, the National Center for Grow Your Own (NCGYO) launched a district network aimed at addressing educator shortages through a registered apprenticeship model. This network brings together innovative school districts from across the country and meets monthly to share strategies and successes.
Fargo Public Schools is an active member of the network and was featured during the Nov. 7, 2025, meeting highlighting their many GYO programs, showcasing their commitment to developing and retaining high-quality educators.
The presentation can be viewed here.
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 Tellwell Productions Highlight North Dakota's GYO Programming
NDDPI is working with nine universities on our two Para-to-Teacher programs. All of these universities have created exemplary programs for aspiring teachers.
Western Governors University (WGU) has a strong partnership with the Fargo Public School District and together they are helping over 37 paraprofessionals become licensed teachers. Tellwell is a video production company based in Fargo, ND. WGU worked with Tellwell to create a video highlighting North Dakota's work with these programs and the impact they are having on our statewide teacher shortage.
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RAP-T Apprentice Spotlight: Traci Kittelson’s Preschool Science Adventure
Preschoolers at Minto Public School recently got a taste of hands-on science thanks to pre-service teacher Traci Kittelson, a teacher apprentice in the RAP-T program at Mayville State University. Her engaging lesson, titled Apple Volcanoes, invited young learners to make predictions, conduct an experiment, and reflect on the results—an exciting introduction to the scientific method.
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The goal of the lesson was simple yet powerful: encourage students to think critically and make predictions about what might happen when vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap are combined inside a hollowed-out apple. The result? Foamy, fizzy apple volcanoes that sparked curiosity and conversation.
“I chose this approach because it’s a hands-on way to teach and challenge them,” Traci shared. “I knew the lesson was meaningful when students started asking if they could do more—and even brought it up again during our pumpkin unit, wondering if we could make a pumpkin volcano!”
One standout moment came when a group of students excitedly explained, “It’s the vinegar and baking soda that make it foam over—and the soap makes it bubbly!” Their understanding of the chemical reaction was clear, and their enthusiasm was contagious.
This experience taught Traci an important lesson about teaching: “We often underestimate what 4–5-year-olds are capable of learning. Their minds are constantly going and thinking.”
Looking ahead, Traci plans to provide enough materials so each student can perform the experiment individually. Her advice to fellow pre-service teachers was, “Even if a lesson seems challenging, try it. You never know what your students are capable of until you give them the chance.”
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Genius Hour Empowers North Dakota’s Future Teachers
As part of its ongoing effort to strengthen the educator pipeline, the Genius Hour continues to support teacher apprentices across North Dakota. Now in its second year, this virtual mentoring series helps participants navigate licensure while balancing roles as paraprofessionals, aspiring teachers, and caregivers.
Facilitated by Dr. Becky Pitkin from the Education Standards & Practices Board (ESPB), the Genius Hour fosters collaboration, confidence, and connection—key ingredients for long-term success in the classroom.
Upcoming Genius Hour Sessions (3:30 PM CT):
Join the conversation, build your network, and grow your skills—one Genius Hour at a time.
Openings Remain for ND's RAP-T Program
Led by NDDPI, North Dakota's RAP-T has grown from a single-district pilot to a statewide initiative involving 46 school districts. In partnership with six EPPs, RAP-T supports paraprofessionals in becoming licensed teachers through coursework, mentoring, and academic support.
Below is a list of EPPs with available openings and contact information:
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Principal Apprenticeship Program Highlights |
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Aspiring Principal Program Highlighted as SETDA Conference
The annual State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA) Leadership Summit was held in Washington, D.C., from Nov. 2–5, 2025. Educational technology and digital learning leaders from more than 40 state education agencies attended the event.
The summit celebrates innovation and leadership that advance education through the effective use of technology. North Dakota’s Aspiring Principals Program was featured during a breakout session, showcasing its success—due in part to the integration of digital learning components.
You can view the presentation here.
CCSSO Helps ND Create Resources
NDDPI, in partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), has released a new resource highlighting the state’s Registered Principal Apprenticeship Program. This innovative model supports aspiring school leaders through mentorship, hands-on experience, and aligned coursework.
The brief outlines how North Dakota is using registered apprenticeship to build a sustainable pipeline of K–12 principals. Developed with the NCGYO, the program serves as a model for other states addressing school leadership shortages.
Explore the full set of resources:
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Current ND Aspiring Principal Programs
North Dakota currently has two Registered Principal Apprenticeship Programs. Listed below is information on each.
UND - grant recipient:
- 9 apprentices
- 4 school districts
NDSU - grant recipient:
- 13 apprentices
- 6 school districts
 National Guideline Standards
NDDPI and NCGYO have submitted National Guideline Standards to the U.S. Department of Labor for the K–12 Principal Registered Apprenticeship occupation. These standards, based largely on the jointly developed K–12 Principal Registered Apprenticeship Playbook, offer a blueprint for other states and districts interested in launching similar programs.
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QUESTIONS?
This monthly newsbrief is a collaborative partnership between NDDPI and the ESPB. Questions can be addressed to the following:
Laurie Matzke, Chief of Program Development & Growth, NDDPI
lmatzke@nd.gov at (701) 328-2284
Dr. Rebecca Pitkin, Executive Director, ESPB
rpitkin@nd.gov at (701) 328-9646
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