What is the Teacher Apprenticeship Program?

The Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP) is a growing initiative across the U.S. aimed at addressing teacher shortages by offering alternative, hands-on pathways into the teaching profession. The TAP program offers the apprentice the opportunity to learn and earn while working and acquiring new skills in the real-world classroom setting.

The apprentice will work in a paraprofessional role in Alief ISD. Apprentices engage in active learning all while completing college or certification coursework. The program length can be anywhere from one to four years. Apprentices will attain a bachelor’s degree and teacher certification by the end of the program with little to no cost to the apprentice.

In This Issue:

Teacher Apprenticeship Spotlight
What's Happening?
Upcoming TAP Training Schedule
TAP Check-in Schedule
Words of Inspiration

TAP Spotlight

Each month we are shining a spotlight on an apprentice in our TAP newsletters, celebrating their achievements, sharing their journey, and highlighting the impact they’re making in their roles.

During Ms. Alvarado’s freshman year of high school, she was placed in the education and training program, though she was initially unsure if teaching was the right career path. Her perspective changed in her junior year when she had the opportunity to work in a kindergarten classroom, where she discovered a deep passion for teaching young children. A major influence in her journey was her teacher, Mrs. Lotsu, who encouraged her to strive for excellence and helped shape her into the aspiring teacher she is today.

When asked, what grade level Ms. Alvarado would like to teach, she shared that she’s excited about teaching 1st grade, as she enjoys working with young learners and is eager to help nurture their development. Her goal this year is to make a difference in her students’ lives, and to be successful in her college coursework as a first-year college student.

Ms. Alvarado finds motivation in reflecting on how far she has come at such a young age and feels deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP). She shared that this experience has been a true blessing for both her and her family—allowing her to work in a job she loves while attending college without facing financial barriers. Her determination to make her parents proud and to build a future she can be proud of is what drives her every single day.

What's Happening?

We’ve started our first TAP check-in for the 2025–2026 school year! Here's a glimpse of our talented apprentices in action!

TAP Training Schedule

As an apprentice, you’ll participate in monthly training sessions(7 per on-ramp). Each session will focus on learning competency-based microcredentials that are designed to strengthen your teaching toolkit and equip you with effective instructional strategies. These trainings will help prepare you for your residency and your future role as a certified teacher. These training will be at the CTD building. Please see the schedule below.

TAP Check-In Schedule

We will conduct 4 check-in appointments with our apprentices. These check-ins are a valuable opportunity to connect with our apprentices, learn more about their experiences in their roles, and ensure their college coursework is progressing smoothly.

TAP Launch 2025-2026 School Year

We are thrilled to welcome our inaugural cohort as we officially launch the Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP). Our apprentices arrived with enthusiasm and a strong sense of purpose, ready to embrace this transformative journey toward becoming educators.

Through the program, participants engage in classroom experiences, collaborate with experienced teachers, and receive guidance on lesson planning, classroom management, and instructional strategies. These experiences equip them with the skills, confidence, and insight needed to thrive as future educators.

We look forward to supporting each apprentice as they grow into inspiring educators.