Grow your own:
Registered Teacher Apprenticeship
Many of our paraprofessionals have expressed interest in becoming licensed teachers, but traditional pathways can feel out of reach — whether because of time, cost, or juggling your current job.
That’s exactly why we’re so excited to share a new opportunity designed for you...
The Grow Your Own (GYO): Registered Teacher Apprenticeship is a paid, supported, tuition-assisted pathway that allows current WCPS paraprofessionals to earn their Maryland teaching license while remaining full-time employees. You continue earning a paycheck, keep your benefits, and stay connected to students and classrooms throughout the entire process!
Washington County Public Schools,
– in partnership with –
Hagerstown Community College
and Frostburg State University,
is launching a Grow Your Own:
Registered Teacher Apprenticeship
designed specifically for WCPS paraprofessionals
This pathway allows you to:
- Remain a full-time WCPS employee!
- Keep your salary and benefits!
- Complete coursework with tuition support!
- Fulfill student teaching through paid employment!
- Earn Maryland teacher licensure!
- Commit to serving WCPS students long-term!
What This Means for You...
-
Stay Employed & Get Paid!
Remain a full-time WCPS employee throughout the program -
No-Cost Tuition Model!
After grants, scholarships, tuition reduction, WCPS covers the remaining approved tuition, fees, and required costs -
Paid Student Teaching!
Clinical practice is embedded into your paid role through Maryland’s Registered Teacher Apprenticeship framework -
Structured & Supportive Mentorship!
Every apprentice is paired with a WCPS teacher
[click the + below to expand sections]
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
Contact Tim Haines, WCPS Coordinator of Talent Acquisition and Development