Radford University celebrates inaugural teacher apprentices cohort on National Apprenticeship Day

Radford University’s College of Education and Human Development, in partnership with the Southwest Virginia Teacher Apprenticeship Consortium, celebrated the completion of its inaugural class of six teacher apprentices on National Apprenticeship Day, Wednesday, April 30.

The initial cohort of apprentices – Sherri Blair, Lianna Dillon, Cheyenne Hinkel, Alyssa Moffett, Claire Morris and Alicia Noble – have secured post-graduation teaching positions in the Region 6 school divisions where they trained, including Pulaski County, Wythe County, Carroll County, Radford City and Roanoke City.

The event, which was held in the Teaching Resource Center in Peters Hall, recognized the accomplishments of the apprentices, their mentors and the school division-university partnerships that made this pilot program a success. National Apprenticeship Day is an annual event sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor which celebrates the impact of Registered Apprenticeship in building a skilled workforce and advancing economic development.

Supported by funding from the Virginia Department of Education, the six apprentices engaged in over 2,000 hours of paid experience while completing their bachelor’s degree coursework and demonstrating licensure competencies. This innovative Registered Teacher Apprenticeship model offers a blend of practical classroom experience, expert mentorship and university-led academic instruction to prepare future educators with the skills, confidence and community connection needed to thrive.

“The apprenticeship model promotes extensive on-the-job learning partnered with integrated coursework,” said Debbie Bays-Wilbon, Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “Apprentices enter the profession as highly qualified educators deeply rooted in their school communities.” 

Morris, one of the apprentices now set to begin her full-time teaching career at Hurt Park Elementary in Roanoke, saw benefits from the intensive program. 

“The best way to learn is by doing,” Morris said. “This model gave me the opportunity to grow as a teacher in ways I never could have otherwise.”

“Having an apprentice has been an incredibly rewarding experience for Roanoke City Public Schools,” said Mandy Horsley, Coordinator of Professional Growth and Partnerships for RCPS. “It’s been inspiring to watch our apprentice, Claire Morris, grow and develop her skills with the support of her Radford University professors and RCPS mentors. Being able to hire apprentices after they complete their apprenticeship helps address the teaching shortage, ensuring that we continue to provide quality education to our students.”

“We are extremely proud of our inaugural cohort of teacher apprentices and look forward to continuing our collaboration with consortium partners to address Virginia’s teacher shortages through our innovative, hands-on educator preparation model,” said Tamara Wallace, Dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “We are thrilled to announce that we have received an additional grant award from the Virginia Department of Education to support a second cohort of teacher apprentices.”  

The VDOE grant will support a new cohort of 12 teacher apprentices, who will begin the program this fall.  

"These six graduating apprentices deserve high praise for their dedication to an intensive preparation process as they launch their careers in service to the students of Southwest Virginia,” said President Bret Danilowicz. “We also commend the faculty and leadership across the College of Education and Human Development for their vision in creating the apprenticeship program, equipping these future educators with classroom-ready skills, and forging strong partnerships with the school districts that need them most. Congratulations to each of our teaching apprentices—we wish them every success in their new roles."

Radford University’s apprenticeship program was announced last February.