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News Brief on Grow Your Own Initiatives

February 2026

The news brief 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.

Update on State PTP In late February 2026, Educator Preparation Providers (EPPs) participating in the state Para-to-Teacher Program (PTP) will receive correspondence from North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) with a request to submit information regarding unused state funds from the fall 2025 semester. These unspent funds will be recouped to provide scholarships to participants on the waitlist for the summer 2026 session.

USDOL to Visit ND

NDDPI has received notification that staff from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) will conduct an onsite technical assistance visit to North Dakota this spring. The purpose of the visit is to discuss the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF) Base and Competitive grants awarded to NDDPI.

The tentative dates for the visit are March 17–18, 2026. USDOL will meet with all NDDPI staff who work with the SAEF grants.

We will share additional information as it becomes available.

SAEF Base Grant Funding 

The USDOL awarded NDDPI a SAEF3 Base grant of $399,249 in July 2025. This funding will continue to support and expand registered apprenticeship programs across the state.

The grant provides federal funding for three years, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028, under the USDOL's Apprenticeship USA Grants program. Unlike the previous two years—when awards were issued annually, this grant was awarded for a full three-year period without future funding. As a result, NDDPI had to adjust the types and scope of services supported by the grant.

Funding will support NDDPI staff responsible for grant oversight, including project management, budget monitoring, and program implementation. The grant also includes funding for wraparound services to help apprentices cover costs related to licensure exams and fees, background checks, and licensure exam tutoring. A portion of the funding also funds the launch of new apprenticeship pathways, including Lead Teacher and youth apprenticeships such as Educators Rising.

We continue to hold out hope that the USDOL will provide additional funding for this existing three-year grant. Additional funding is greatly needed, not only in North Dakota, but all across the nation.

We will provide additional updates as we receive new information.

Picuted above: Fargo South students attend Lunch and Learn hosted by CTE

Fargo South Students Explore Teaching Careers at “Lunch and Learn”

Fargo South High School recently hosted an Education Pathway “Lunch and Learn.” Students were nominated by a staff member as part of the “I See a Great Teacher in You” campaign. During the event, students shared stories about educators who inspired them and heard from a panel of teachers, counselors, and administrators about careers in education. They also learned about Education Pathway courses offered through Fargo Public Schools, designed to help students take their first steps toward becoming future teachers.

Rolling Into Creative Writing: Registered Teacher Apprentice Sparks Student Success Second graders at Carrington Elementary recently discovered that writing can be as fun as rolling dice and sculpting clay, thanks to an innovative lesson by Sheena Mattson, a Registered Apprenticeship Program for Teachers (RAP-T) candidate at Mayville State University. Mattson’s “Roll, Write, Create!” activity transformed narrative writing into an interactive experience that blended storytelling with artistic expression. Students rolled dice to select story elements, wrote detailed narratives, and then brought their stories to life by crafting clay scenes and recording explanations on Seesaw.

“I could tell this lesson mattered to them by the way they dove into their stories,” Mattson said. “They added so many details, asked thoughtful questions, and took real pride in what they were making.” One standout moment came when a student who typically struggles with writing produced his longest piece yet. After sculpting his clay creation, he proudly declared, “This is exactly what I pictured,” and confidently explained his work on Seesaw. For Mattson, it was proof that creativity unlocks potential. “When students are given autonomy, they rise to the occasion,” she reflected. “Creativity isn’t extra—it’s essential.”

While the lesson was a hit, Mattson noted the challenge of fitting all components into one day. Next time, she plans to spread the activity over two days for a smoother experience, though she fondly described the lively classroom as the best kind of creative chaos. Her advice to fellow pre-service teachers? “Don’t be afraid to try new things and be authentically yourself. This is your time to experiment and find what lights you up.” Mattson credits her mentor, Mrs. Tweed, for encouraging her to embrace creativity and lean into her ideas—a support she calls invaluable. Pictured here: A student’s imaginative story where Mrs. Claus hides in a chimney and Santa helps her overcome her fears. The humor, the heart, the creativity—this is second-grade storytelling at its best!"

Creating A+ Experiences for Apprentices: The Formula for Success

Colleges and universities that help apprentices succeed share several key characteristics. Conversations with apprentices reveal that the most effective programs provide flexibility and support while fostering connection. These characteristics include:

• Online programs that allow apprentices to balance work and study.
• Fees are paid, removing financial barriers and stress.
• Responsive faculty who address questions and concerns promptly.
• A sense of being “known”, making apprentices feel valued rather than just a number.
• Clear and frequent communication about testing, progress, and licensing requirements.
• Connection despite distance, through virtual engagement and community-building.

Together, these qualities create what apprentices describe as an A+ experience, empowering them to succeed academically and professionally.

EMPHASIZING STRATEGIC STAFFING

USED Grant Priorities 

In May 2025, U.S. Secretary of Education (USED) Linda McMahon announced her first three priorities for the department's discretionary grants:

• Evidence-based literacy
• Expanding education choice
• Returning education to the states

In September 2025, USED released two additional supplemental priorities, bringing the total to seven.

• Meaningful Learning
• Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness

The newly added supplemental priority, Meaningful Learning, specifically mentions the creation of strategic staffing models. It defines strategic staffing as a team-based approach to school staffing that replaces the traditional one-teacher, one-classroom model.

These priorities will guide grant competitions across the department to address the urgent needs of students, families, and states.

A discretionary grant competition is anticipated for late spring 2026.

Using Federal Dollars to Support Strategic Staffing

On Feb. 9, 2026, Kirsten Baesler, assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education for the U.S. Department of Education, issued a memo on leveraging federal funds to support strategic staffing models.

The memo highlighted existing flexibilities for state and local education agencies to use Title II, Part A funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to implement innovative teacher workforce strategies, including strategic staffing. It also provided examples of activities that Title II funds could support.

North Dakota began implementing strategic staffing in fall 2022, with the Lead Teacher role as a cornerstone of its model.

To advance this work, NDDPI partnered with the National Center for Grow Your Own (NCGYO) and Arizona State University (ASU) to write a Lead Teacher Apprenticeship application to the USDOL. NDDPI received approval on Aug. 6, 2025, making North Dakota the first state in the nation to secure recognition for the Lead Teacher occupation.

RAP-T NEWS

Genius Hour Session on ND RISE Supports

On Feb. 10, 2026, RAP-T participants joined Erin Jacobson, ND RISE Coordinator at ESPB, for an interactive Genius Hour session exploring ND RISE which means Retaining, Inspiring, and Supporting Educators. The session highlighted how mentoring supports early-career teachers and helps build confidence and job satisfaction.

Participants shared questions, challenges, and successes, making the event a collaborative and engaging experience.

Missed the session and want to learn more? View the recording and slide deck.

EPP Quarterly Reporting Reminders

EPPs are reminded to complete key reporting tasks to maintain compliance and accurate data for USDOL reporting:

• End of Semester Report – EPPs will be requested to complete this report for data collection.
• Feedback Surveys – The insights from EPPs, districts and apprentices help evaluate program impact and guide improvements.
• RAPIDS Updates – Updated RAPIDS Excel sheets must be sent to NDDPI within 45 days of any changes (completers, withdrawals, new enrollments) to ensure accurate tracking and compliance.

Thank you for staying on top of these requirements—your efforts keep RAP-T running smoothly!

Openings Still Available in RAP-T Program

Led by NDDPI, North Dakota’s RAP-T is building a stronger educator workforce through teacher apprenticeships. The program has expanded from a single-district pilot to a statewide initiative serving 46 districts. RAP-T helps paraprofessionals become licensed teachers through coursework, mentoring, and academic support.

A few spots remain for the upcoming term. Interested paraprofessionals should contact the following EPPs for details.

• Valley City State University – 1 opening (Contact: Dr. Allen Burgad) 
• Certification Central – 5 openings (Contact: Dr. Lynne Chalmers)

EPP Group Meeting Held

On Feb. 2, 2026, RAP-T EPPs met to review program updates and share strategies for success. Key topics included North Dakota’s strong presence at the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) conference, efforts to fill vacant apprenticeship spots, upcoming USDOL reporting deadlines, and compliance reminders. Members also discussed the impact of recent federal funding changes and the upcoming USDOL technical assistance visit.

EPPs shared positive apprentice feedback, graduation projections, and marketing ideas to showcase program success. The group emphasized continued collaboration to address teacher shortages and strengthen para-to-teacher pathways.

PRINCIPAL APPRENTICESHIP HIGHLIGHTS

NORTH DAKOTA IN THE NEWS

NASBE Feature on K-12 Principal Registered Apprenticeships and National Guideline Standards 

The National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) recently interviewed North Dakota, Alaska, and Virginia on their innovative work happening in K-12 Principal Registered Apprenticeship programs. They also featured the new National Guideline Standards for the K-12 Principal Registered Apprenticeship Program developed to support and strengthen pathways for future school leaders.

Read the full article here.

Education Week Features Three State Partners

Last month, the NCGYO hosted a webinar on K-12 Principal Registered Apprenticeships with North Dakota, Alaska and Virginia as well as a discussion of the new USDOL approved National Guideline Standards for the K-12 Principal Registered Apprenticeship co-written by North Dakota and NCGYO.

Education Week staff attended the webinar and issued a write up on how these states are approaching the Registered Principal Apprenticeship work in their state. 

Read the full article here.

ND FEATURED AT SEVERAL RECENT EVENTS

NCGYO/NASDTEC Conference  The 3rd Annual National Convening on Registered Apprenticeships in Teaching cohosted by NASDTEC and NCGYO was held on Jan. 28-30, 2026. The conference was well attended with over 400 participants. U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education, Kirsten Baesler, was a keynote presenter and a team from North Dakota also presented at a breakout session on our RAP-T program.

Pictured above: Asst. Supt. of Education Kirsten Baseler on stage with David Donaldson from NCGYO. Next picture left to right: Kim Marman-University of Mary, Brittany Hagen-Mayville State University and Laurie Matzke-NDDPI

ASU's Virtual Strategic Staffing Summit

ASU hosted a virtual two-day summit on Feb. 4–5, 2026. This event marked the seventh annual Strategic School Staffing Summit, organized by the Next Education Workforce initiative at ASU’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College for Teaching and Learning Innovation.

The summit brought together educators, researchers, and school and system leaders to explore bold, strategic approaches to staffing that better support both students and teachers.

Laurie Matzke from NDDPI, Lennon Audrain from ASU, and Ashley Osborne from NCGYO presented on North Dakota’s Lead Teacher Apprenticeship work.

ESEA Conference

The Annual Elementary & Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Conference was held in Denver, Colorado on Feb. 10-12, 2026. "Team Dakota" including Dr. David DeJong with Dakota State University and Laurie Matzke with NDDPI, presented on Building Strong Educational Apprenticeships: 10 Lessons from North Dakota and South Dakota. 

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