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.

• Teacher Apprenticeship Spotlight

• What's Happening?

• TAP Training Schedule

• TAP Check-in Schedule

• Words of Inspiration

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.

This month we are spotlighting Mr. Angel Ortuno, who serves as an In-Class Support Paraprofessional at Bush Elementary and is currently part of our apprenticeship program.

Mr. Ortuno’s journey into education was sparked by the joy and energy he experiences when working with students. The daily interactions and meaningful relationships he builds in the classroom continue to fuel his passion for teaching.

He’s especially excited about teaching 4th grade math, since it’s his favorite subject. He looks forward to helping students tackle new challenges and grow academically, all while making learning engaging and fun.

Mr. Ortuno hopes to aims to build strong connections with fellow educators on campus during his first year as an apprentice. He sees these relationships as key to gaining valuable guidance and support as he works toward his professional goals.

Fun fact: Mr. Ortuno comes from a big family—he has eight siblings! That experience brings a unique perspective to his approach in the classroom.

When asking Mr. Ortuno to share how he gets through a tough day, he said, “I stay focused by reminding myself of my purpose and keeping the main goal front and center.

Alief ISD appreciates the passion and commitment that Mr. Ortuno brings to our students at Bush Elementary.

This month kicks off with our first TAP trainings, and our apprentices are showing up with enthusiasm and determination! They're eager to dive into specialized techniques for effective teaching, setting the tone for a season of growth and excellence.

Each training session is designed to build essential skills step-by-step:

• Level 1 – Setting the Stage
  Apprentices explore practical strategies to establish a welcoming and productive learning environment from day one.

• Level 2 – Positive Power-Ups
  This session focuses on recognizing and reinforcing positive behavior, helping apprentices foster a respectful and encouraging classroom culture.

• Level 3 – Soaring Engagement
  Apprentices learn dynamic techniques to keep students motivated and actively involved in their learning.

• Level 4 - Meeting Students Where They Are

• This session is focused on equipping teachers with the skills to design and implement developmentally appropriate and challenging learning experiences tailored to the diverse needs of their students.

Thank you, HCC, for hosting this enriching Bootcamp for our apprentices. Our apprentices thoroughly enjoyed the campus tour and gained valuable insights into your role as the Related Technical Instruction (RTI) provider for our apprenticeship program. The opportunity to learn and understand the program requirements in such a welcoming and informative environment was truly appreciated

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.

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.

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