The Crisp County School System is pleased to share the recent recognition from the Georgia Department of Education highlighting our apprenticeship program.
In December, Crisp County Primary School Paraprofessional Catherine Melton marked a milestone as she became the first graduate of the Para-to-Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway in the state.
Crisp County Board Brief: January Edition
Melton is one of many paraprofessionals across the school system working to earn her teaching certification as she serves in the classroom as a teaching apprentice.
One of those apprentices includes Jerardy Castro, who also works alongside Melton at CCPS.
Mr. Castro is currently enrolled at Georgia Southwestern University.
As a product of Crisp County, he hopes to return to the classrooms in the community in which he grew up.
On the value of the mentorship, he had this to say, "The mentorship part of this program seems like it’s going to be just a perfect way to get what I’m learning from the college and really applying it to the school system here."
CCSS is thankful for initiatives like the Georgia Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program, to give staff members like Mrs. Melton and Mr. Castro the opportunity for hands-on mentorship while also completing their college coursework.
The full press release from the Department of Education can be read here.
More about the Apprenticeship Program- Teach in the Peach
"The Georgia Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program is an innovative, statewide initiative developed by the Georgia Department of Education to address the educator shortage and build a sustainable teacher pipeline. Teaching Apprenticeships provide a paid, mentored pathway to teacher certification by combining classroom experience as a paraprofessional, college coursework, and intentional support that empowers school districts to invest in and grow their own educators.
Since its formal launch on November 4, 2024, and with the support of a $3.9 million Apprenticeship Building America grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, GaDOE has helped 29 districts implement registered apprenticeship programs with 132 apprentices. Through grant funding, 23 rural districts are developing pre-apprenticeship “grow your own” programs that begin in high school and transition into full apprenticeships.
Crisp County’s teaching apprenticeship program is funded through the GaDOE Rural Teaching Apprenticeship Grant and additional state apprenticeship funds, reflecting a coordinated approach to educator workforce development."