teachers
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The Critical Role of Principals in Teacher Retention
As schools across the country face crippling educator shortages, retaining qualified educators has become equally as important as recruiting them. While many factors influence a teacher’s decision to stay or leave, one of the most impactful is school leadership. Principals play a central role in shaping the work environment, school culture, and support systems that Continue reading
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Buffalo City School District Builds Teacher Pipeline Through Apprenticeship
In a recent conversation with leaders from Buffalo City School District (BCSD), I had the opportunity to learn more about their innovative efforts to strengthen and diversify the educator workforce through a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Now in its second year, the program is already shaping the district’s approach to long-term staffing and career development Continue reading
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Apprenticeship in Action for Future Educators
Meet Lexi, a high school and college graduate, and a working mom. She began her career in education as a teacher aide in Hoosick Falls, NY, where she quickly discovered a deep passion for working with students and a natural talent for supporting their learning. Despite how much she loved the role, Lexi knew that an Continue reading
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Is Student Debt Holding Back Our Educators?
Becoming a teacher has always been a calling for many but lately, it’s felt more like a financial gamble. Across the country, school districts are struggling with severe teacher shortages, and fewer people are entering the profession. At the same time, the federal government has restarted student loan collections after a five-year pause. For many Continue reading
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From Celebration to Sustained Support: Honoring Educators Beyond One Week
Across New York State last week, classrooms were filled with celebrations: bulletin boards covered in kind words, carts of snacks making their rounds, surprise coffee deliveries, catered lunches and heartfelt notes from students and families. It’s a beautiful moment and one that’s well deserved. But it also raises an important question: why just once a Continue reading
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Educators Always Knew—The Rest of Us Are Just Catching Up: The Importance of Meeting Future Educators’ Needs as We Build the Pipeline
Over the weekend, I was sitting with a few friends who are current educators. As someone who has worked in education for the last decade but not as a classroom teacher something clicked for me. In talking about their experiences, I realized what teachers have known all along: the best way to support learning is Continue reading
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Expanding Opportunities: The Growth of Apprenticeships for Educators in New York State
The expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs for Educators (RAPS) in New York isn’t just about building a robust, highly skilled teacher workforce, it’s transforming lives. As we spoke with apprentices and stakeholders across the state, we heard powerful stories of growth, opportunity, and resilience. Seeing firsthand how these programs are transforming not just careers, but Continue reading
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Educator Registered Apprenticeships and Grow Your Own: How Kennedy Children’s Center is Transforming Educator Preparation
At the heart of the Kennedy Children’s Center (KCC) lies a deep commitment to community—a commitment that has deeply resonated with me as I continue my journey of learning about innovative, community-centered educational programs and the current challenges faced by educators. Their leadership refused to accept traditional recruitment and training methods that failed to meet Continue reading
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A Closer Look at Educator Apprenticeships and Traditional Student Teaching
Because Preparation Matters! Let’s be real: teacher prep matters—now more than ever. With enrollment in teacher prep programs at an all-time low and teacher shortages hitting schools hard, I have come to realize the traditional student teaching model, where aspiring educators spend only a few months unpaid in classrooms, isn’t meeting the needs of the Continue reading
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