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Members of the North Branch Area Education Foundation and leaders from North Branch Area Public Schools gathered to celebrate the announcement that the partnership was selected to receive a Labor Education Advancement Program (LEAP) grant from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry in support of the North Branch Area Public Schools Viking Teacher Apprenticeship Program. Apprenticeship is an earn-as-you-learn workforce training model that allows apprentices to earn credits towards teaching licensure while gaining on-the-job-training supported by an experienced journey teacher. Upon completion, apprentices will be licensed teachers with the skills and training necessary to be successful. The LEAP grant of $100,000 will support this innovative model in North Branch Area Public Schools. The Department of Labor and Industry’s grant review team commented that the North Branch submission was “mindful and forward-thinking.“ “NBAPS will use the funding to increase apprenticeship participation through career advancement opportunities for current education assistants, and outreach in the community to increase staffing that mirrors the demographics of our students,” said Superintendent Sara Paul, adding “apprenticeship programs will focus in areas of special education, early learning, and STEM teacher licenses.” The Viking Apprenticeship Design Team became aware of the opportunity for this funding, and poured their time, effort, and research into preparing the LEAP grant proposal, and it was a success,” said Kim Theis, president of the North Branch Area Education Foundation. “Since a 501(c3) was needed, the NBAEF will manage the funds and the reporting.” Members of the Viking Apprenticeship Design Team include Sara Kloeckl, Joanne Kreitz, Sara Paul, Todd Tetzlaff, David Treichel and Rachelle Weinand. The first cohort of Viking Teacher Apprentices will begin in the fall of 2024. Interested individuals should contact Superintendent Paul at 651-674-1012 or [email protected].  |
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