Dr. Damara Hightower Mitchell, CEO and Founder of the EPI Center, highlighted the program as essential to driving the organization’s mission to prepare future educators. “We are honored to accompany them on their journey to leading classrooms and continuing to make a difference in the lives of the students under their care,” she said.
Addressing the new cohort of educators and learners, Dr. Hightower Mitchell offered a heartfelt thanks. “I want to thank you for the hard work you will do,” she said. “Thank you for the tears of frustration and fatigue you will shed, and for pushing through those challenges. Most importantly, thank you for the children waiting for a teacher just like you to see them, and for the parents who will respect you for the difference you make in their children’s lives.”
The apprenticeship, which is a registered program with the U.S. Department of Labor, is specifically designed to help school staff (classified employees) enhance their skills and obtain alternative certification to become licensed teachers. According to Dr. Shelly Meyers, Senior Strategist for Education Policy at the EPI Center, the program combines targeted training with hands-on, school-based experience and comprehensive support services. “The program ensures apprentices are fully prepared to make a meaningful impact on both their schools and local communities,” Dr. Meyers explained.
Through this unique model, teacher aides or paraprofessionals who want to become certified teachers do not have to quit their jobs to pursue a traditional teaching degree; these apprentices can continue working in their schools while receiving the training and support they need.
Key features of the program include:
The EPIC Registered Apprenticeship is structured into four quarters, each with specific focus areas, professional learning communities, and micro-credentials that can be earned. In the first quarter, the focus is on building a strong partnership between apprentices and their mentors. Apprentices will work to establish a positive and inclusive classroom environment. In the second quarter, apprentices transition from observation and one-on-one tutoring to leading small-group instruction under the guidance of their mentor. This quarter also includes preparation for their first Praxis II exam. In quarters three and four, apprentices progressively assume greater responsibility for daily classroom routines, instruction, and student assessment.
Margo Jackson is Senior Strategist for Residency & Apprenticeship. “By participating in the apprenticeship, candidates will not only gain the skills to excel as educators but will also contribute to advancing social mobility for their families and the communities they represent or serve,” Jackson stated.
This first cohort of apprentices represents school districts in Allendale, Calhoun, Fairfield, Lee, Orangeburg, Sumter, and Williamsburg counties. Participants like Debra McQuilla, a former long-term substitute teacher and current fifth-grade assistant from the Sumter School District, expressed her confidence in the program. “I am very close to passing the Praxis test and just need the support that the EPI Center is offering to cross the finish line and officially begin my teaching career,” she said.
Similarly, Kedesa Davis, who works in a pre-K classroom at Lee Central Elementary, shared her enthusiasm for the program’s support. “Working with children is my passion. I just need some help passing the Praxis Core test to get my certification, and I am feeling so much more confident about it since getting accepted into this program,” Davis stated.
The EPI Center’s initiative offers a proactive approach to addressing teacher shortages by creating a sustainable pipeline of qualified educators who are already dedicated to their school communities.
