Mt. Vernon High School (MVHS) juniors, Katelyn Captain, and Miranda Rehfus, officially signed with the Region 5 Workforce Board to begin the Mt. Vernon Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP). In a collaborative partnership with Ball State University and Ivy Tech, these students will begin an accelerated program that leads to a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and begins with dual-credit courses in high school, earning up to a full year of college credit prior to graduating high school. These students are paired with two Fortville Elementary teachers who received certification and training from Ball State University to foster the start of the apprentice’s teaching experience. Mt. Vernon High School is proud to be a part of this “grow your own” teaching program with Ball State University and Ivy Tech. 

The registered apprenticeship is powered through a partnership with Ball State University, the Pursuit Institute of Hamilton County (formerly known as the Hamilton County Center for Career Achievement), and the Region 5 Workforce Board. Schools currently enrolled in this program are Mt. Vernon, Anderson, Muncie, Perry Central, New Castle, Hamilton Heights, Westfield Washington Schools, and Hamilton Southeastern Schools.
 

The Assistant Director of Curriculum, Alissa Lockwood, helps facilitate the program at MVHS. Lockwood shares, "The teacher apprenticeship program offers a valuable opportunity for students aspiring to become educators. Through mentorship and hands-on classroom experience, students can deeply enhance their learning. Moreover, the chance to save an entire year of college tuition makes it an outstanding advantage."
 

To participate, Mt. Vernon High School students can enroll in the five-year apprenticeship program beginning their junior year. Participating apprentices will receive instruction through high school dual-credit teaching courses, which are easily transferable and align with the Indiaa Department of Education’s pathway requirements, which are Next Level Programs of Study.  
 

Miranda Rehfus, MVHS junior enrolled in the apprenticeship, expresses “ I have enjoyed getting to know the students and learn about them. I have so much fun being in the classroom and engaging with the students by doing lesson plans or just talking to them one on one.” 
 

MVHS’s second teacher apprentice, Katelyn Captain, states “I have enjoyed helping the teacher and getting to know all the students. I love coming in every day and hearing how they are doing, it just makes me want to be a teacher even more.”
 

Each school district determines apprentice application and selection criteria. Mentorship by licensed teachers is a cornerstone of the program as they guide apprentices' development and sign off on completed competencies. Lydia Palmer and Courtney Munsell are two teacher mentors at Fortville Elementary School in the Mt. Vernon school district who help guide these future teachers. 
 

Mary Rinehart, formerly the program's manager as the Director of Teacher Pathway Programs at Ball State University, is now a Family and Consumer Science teacher at Mt. Vernon High School. Rinehart shares, “The primary objective of this initiative is to inspire students to return to their home district as educators. The majority of participants in the program intend to pursue teaching positions at their home district in the future.” In her new role at Mt. Vernon High School, she will be teaching several dual-credit courses designed to guide aspiring educators. She will be stepping into the position currently held by Tammy Bauchert.
 

“This tremendous and first-ever education apprenticeship initiative for Indiana will develop an educator pipeline for today and tomorrow," said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Chris Lowery. "It's a clear win for future educators to begin their apprenticeship in high school, gain hands-on experience in the classroom, and earn a bachelor's degree after the five-year apprenticeship.”
 

“This program is a true representation of innovation and collaboration across multiple partnerships,” said Kurt Cantlon, Executive Director of The Pursuit Institute. The Pursuit Institue has expanded to include several school districts in this program.“The opportunities afforded to students and families through this registered apprenticeship program are unlike any other across the country. I am proud that The Pursuit Institute was the visionary leader in the development of this transformative program, and we anticipate enrollment in the apprenticeship program to scale rapidly.”