MSU starts Minnesota’s first special ed program teacher pathway

A new apprenticeship program to help students seeking their degree in special education, the first in the state of Minnesota, is being offered at Minnesota State. 

The program has been in the works for 14 months and launched this summer. Apprentices will work in either Owatonna, Minneapolis or North Branch Area Public Schools. 

Teri Preisler, the acting director of the Center for Educator Partnerships and Student Support, said the program started in May 2023 The Department of Labor and Industry reached out to school districts, teacher preparation programs and statewide agencies, including the Special Education Department in the College of Education at MSU, about the possibility of introducing an apprenticeship program.

“School districts began to discuss and formulate who they would want to partner with and we were the selected program in special education,” Preisler said. 

Those who have applied to the program have been employed by the schools as special education paraprofessionals and have obtained an associate’s degree. Preisler said the course was formulated to be embedded within the student’s work days. 

“When they are gaining their knowledge, they’re applying it right away within classrooms where they are working with a mentor, teacher or journey worker. The depth and rigor is at the same level as gaining a bachelor’s degree,” Preisler said. “It truly is an on-the-job learning and growing experience.”

Education Support Professional Marco Arana is one of 49 students in two cohorts going into the apprenticeship. He said he’s most looking forward to working with a different population of students he usually works with.

“I’m excited to work with well-rounded teachers, students I haven’t had the pleasure of working with before and getting on-the-job training where I can ask questions the day of and not wait until I get back to the classroom,” Arana said. 

Coming into the program, the students will already have their goal areas completed with the skills criteria it takes to become a fully licensed special education teacher. The program will provide coursework and modules in professional education in special education where students learn about literacy and mathematical methods, behavior management and criteria in developmental or disability areas. 

Anyone can join the apprenticeship program, but Preisler said they have to be employed in one of the school districts associated with the program first. 

“These are working adults where this is their second career or maybe they’ve always wanted to be a teacher but there wasn’t a way to do so while being able to work full time while gaining their degrees,” Preisler said.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, teacher shortages are widespread across the country with over a 9% loss in public educators during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preisler said programs like these not only allow students to “earn while they learn,” but help pay tuition and fees for apprenticeships. 

“They learn and grow in their skills, receive pay raises and since they’re already in the district, they are committed and dedicated to their communities and school districts,” Preisler said. “This path to becoming a teacher increases the likelihood they will remain in this profession.”

The program being paid for by the district and taxpayers is what drove Arana to join the program.

“It’s getting a free bachelors doing something I’ve already been doing for nine years. I’ve been interested in becoming a teacher and I’ve always wanted to broaden my understanding and go to college to get my degree,” Arana said. “It seemed like a great opportunity and I’d be silly to pass it up.”

Preisler said the program additionally increases diversity within school districts.

“The achievement gap between students of color and white students is one of the largest in the nation in Minnesota and increasing access to becoming a teacher hopefully expands the race and ethnicity demographic of our educators,” Preisler said. “Our K-12 students who see themselves in their teachers just means for an inclusive, relevant, thriving learning environment for all.”

Arana said programs like these should be offered to more people not just in the state, but in the country.

“Education is super important for society and I don’t think we’re going to see a lot of systemic change until we as a country make that a priority,” Arana said.

The students in the program will graduate in May 2026.

Photo caption: Over 49 students are now a part of the Teacher Apprenticeship Program where applicants will be able to gain the skills needed for their future careers while working in a school district of their choice (Courtesy Teri Preisler)

Write to Emma Johnson at emma.johnson.5@mnsu.edu