It's a Rap

With traditional educator preparation programs struggling to attract new candidates, particularly in rural areas, innovative approaches like New York’s Registered Apprenticeship Program are helping career changers like Olivia find their way into the classroom and build lasting careers. We sat down with Olivia to learn about her experience as a Teacher Apprentice with Classroom Academy.

Like many aspiring educators today, Olivia’s path to teaching wasn’t linear. She came to education as a career changer. Her story made me wonder: how many talented individuals are “hiding in plain sight,” ready to make a meaningful impact in education if given the right pathways?

Olivia, a native of Port Jervis, New York, began her journey studying Journalism and Public Policy at Ithaca College. It was a summer job at a local rec center working with children that changed everything.

“The kids made me view the world differently,” Olivia recalls. “Their curiosity, creativity, and how they saw things—it really stuck with me.”

As Olivia began exploring educator preparation programs, she was drawn to SUNY Empire’s residency model. What stood out even more was discovering Classroom Academy, SUNY Empire’s Registered Apprenticeship Program. Rather than follow the traditional route of two short, unpaid student teaching placements, Olivia chose the apprenticeship pathway, spending two full years immersed in the classroom in a paid position, working alongside and learning from an experienced teacher.

“I wanted to learn by being in the classroom every day, not just from textbooks,” Olivia explains. “Classroom Academy gave me hands-on experience right from the start.”

Now placed at Cambridge Central School District as a Teacher Apprentice, Olivia works with Jason Sutliff, a seasoned English teacher with over 20 years of experience, and has quickly found her passion for teaching middle school students.

“Jason is such a true teacher to his core. He never makes me feel like I’m doing something wrong. He teaches me. I feel supported at every step and that makes all the difference.”

Moving a few hours away from home to a small, rural community posed its own set of challenges for Olivia. “I didn’t know anyone when I first arrived. It was a little intimidating being so far from home,” she admits. 

“… I quickly realized that this community, both the school and the local area, has been incredibly welcoming. People here want to see me succeed, and that sense of support is important” 

Classroom Academy attracting career changers across the state is a success in its own right. This may show a promising way to attract career changers to the classroom. 

The support from the Classroom Academy program has also been crucial for Olivia in developing her teaching style. Having a support network including the program coordinator,  Colleen Lester, as well as additional support from professional community facilitator Rita Floess has helped her navigate her first year with confidence. “They check in on us, give advice, and make sure we’re always growing,” she shares. “It’s a lifeline to have that support when you’re just starting out.”

In addition to the Classroom Academy support system, Olivia has also built a strong network within the school, which has helped her feel more connected and grounded. “I’ve had the chance to sub in other classrooms, attend career fairs, and interact with staff members from different parts of the school,” she says. 

Olivia credits the strong support from teachers, staff, and parents for her growth and sense of belonging in the school community. Hearing her speak so passionately about this network really struck me, it’s clear that feeling connected beyond the classroom is vital for new educators’ success.

She encourages others to commit to the two-year apprenticeship program, reminding us that the time will pass anyway and the experience provides essential tools and guidance to truly make a difference, not just academically, but in supporting students’ emotional growth as well. Olivia’s confidence about stepping into her own classroom left me inspired; she’s ready to take on whatever challenges come her way, and her story shows just how powerful this hands-on, supported approach can be.

Hear from some of Classroom Academy’s other participants below!