Alaska’s Department of Education and Early Development announced that the United States Department of Labor has granted permanent approval for the state’s Educator Registered Apprenticeship program. This program offers a unique earn-while-you-learn opportunity, providing structured academic coursework alongside on-the-job learning in K-12 settings.
Program Details
The program, which launched in January 2025, has expanded to include 96 apprentices enrolled for Fall 2026 across various pathways, including Kindergarten through 12th Grade, Special Education, and Principal pathways. Established as a priority by Governor Mike Dunleavy and the State Board of Education in 2024, the program supports Grow-Your-Own initiatives and paraprofessional pathways recommended in the Alaska Teacher Recruitment and Retention Playbook.
Statewide partners, including the Alaska Statewide Mentorship Project, Bristol Bay Career and Technical Education, and Sealaska Heritage Institute, have played key roles in designing and implementing this earn-as-you-learn model. The program helps districts build their educator workforce locally while providing structured mentorship and high-quality training for apprentices.
Original reporting: Must Read Alaska (Anchorage) — read the source article.
