New educator apprenticeship program kicks off in South Carolina

A new class of aspiring teachers celebrated the start of their journey at an orientation held in Columbia this past weekend. The Center of Excellence for Educator Preparation and Innovation (EPI Center) welcomed current and future educators from across South Carolina into its EPIC (Educators Prepared to Impact Communities) Registered Apprenticeship program. The two-day event was filled with learning, inspiration, and community building for all the participants.

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.

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:

• Paid Employment: Participants are employed by a partnering school district, receiving a wage as they complete their training.
• Structured Training: The program combines on-the-job training with mentor teachers, instructional coaching, online learning modules, and preparation for required exams like the Praxis.
• Alternative Certification: Upon completion, participants receive a U.S. Department of Labor credential and become eligible for a South Carolina-approved alternative certification program, allowing them to become a “Teacher of Record.”
• Targeted Support: The program provides comprehensive support services, including personalized learning communities, to ensure apprentices are prepared for their new roles.

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.

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.

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.

 About the EPI Center

The EPI Center is a self-sustaining, national 501(c) (3) nonprofit established in 2021 on the campus of Voorhees University by Founder and CEO Dr. Damara Hightower Mitchell. The EPI Center was established to redefine educator preparation through pathbreaking, research-driven approaches. With a commitment to elevating teacher effectiveness, the organization provides a comprehensive continuum of services designed to equip educators with the skills, knowledge, and support necessary to drive student success. The Center is located at 423 College Street in Batesburg-Leesville, SC.