It's a Rap

Talk to any rural school leader in New York State, and a common challenge quickly emerges, finding and keeping great teachers and administrators is harder than ever. Limited housing options, lower salaries compared to urban and suburban regions, and fewer professional development opportunities make it difficult for educators to stay, even when they want to. Shrinking local workforces and declining student enrollment exacerbate the workforce problem. 

The status quo is unsustainable. Without action, rural districts struggle with recruitment and lost talent to higher-paying areas will continue. So how can a program like Registered Apprenticeship Programs for Educators (RAPs) help? Let’s take a deeper look… 

Teachers are more likely to stay in or near their hometowns, making locally focused recruitment strategies a powerful tool for addressing staffing shortages in rural areas. In our neighboring state of Vermont, where nearly two-thirds of residents live in rural communities, the NEK Next Gen Teacher initiative is putting this concept into action. By partnering with high schools and career centers, the program introduces students to educator careers early, creating a sustainable pipeline of educators who are already deeply connected to their communities.

Much like Kennedy Children’s Center, Vermont has integrated its Grow Your Own (GYO) program within a RAP which is creating pipelines for paraprofessionals, substitute teachers, and community members to become certified teachers without leaving their communities. RAPs could be the lifeline rural schools need, providing real opportunities for people already invested in their communities to become educators without uprooting their lives. Growing up in a rural district in upstate New York, I know firsthand that schools are the heart of these communities, making educators the beating pulse. These educators are also neighbors, parents, coaches, and taxpayers  which help the community thrive.

The challenges facing rural schools in New York State aren’t new, but the solutions need to be. Programs like Registered Apprenticeships for Educators provide a promising pathway to recruit, train, and retain talented educators who are already invested in their communities.

With the NYS EWD HUB and the Rural Schools Association of New York State working together to champion this effort, now is the time for rural schools to explore how RAPs can transform their hiring and retention strategies. Investing in homegrown educators isn’t just a stopgap, it’s a long-term solution to ensure that rural schools, and the communities they anchor, continue to thrive.