Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeship Program 11-12-2026

Position Details

Grow Your Own Teacher Apprenticeship Program The Grow Your Own (GYO) Teacher Apprenticeship Program provides aspiring educators with a paid, school-based pathway to earning a college degree and becoming a certified teacher. Apprentices are current employees of Worcester County Public Schools (WCPS) who work alongside experienced mentor teachers to gain hands-on experience in instructional practices, student engagement, classroom management, and professional responsibilities. Through structured on-the-job training and professional learning, apprentices progressively develop the knowledge and skills necessary to support student success while fulfilling the requirements of Maryland's Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP). In partnership with Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU), apprentices complete online coursework leading to a bachelor's degree and Maryland teacher licensure in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or Special Education. Apprentices must successfully balance employment and academic responsibilities, participate in required professional learning, maintain satisfactory academic and on-the-job performance, and meet all program requirements established by WCPS, NDMU, and the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, degree program, and certification requirements, participants will be eligible to pursue Maryland teacher licensure. Application Requirements To complete the application, candidates must upload a Word document (.docx) addressing each of the following questions along with a professional resume. Responses should be clearly numbered and provide specific examples when applicable. Background: Describe any work, volunteer, internship, or school-based experience working with children, youth, or in educational or community-based settings. Explain how this experience prepares you for classroom-based work Interest: Why are you interested in becoming a teacher, and why are you applying to the Maryland Teacher Registered Apprenticeship program? What motivates you to pursue teaching as a career? Adaptability: Describe a situation in which you had to adapt to a new or challenging environment where you received feedback or adjusted your approach to be successful. What did you learn from this experience? Communication & Professional Responsibility: Describe how you communicate effectively with supervisors, peers, students, or families. Provide an example that demonstrates responsibility, reliability, or professionalism. Preparation: Describe your educational background and how it has prepared you for success in this apprenticeship. Include relevant coursework, certifications, or training experiences. Technology: Discuss how you use technology. Have you taken online courses? Important: Applications that do not include the required Word document addressing all five questions will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Deadline is 4:00 pm on Friday, November 20, 2026