Recruiting Apprentices

LEA Apprentice Recruitment Process

School districts are encouraged to view the LEA recruitment process video tutorial above, explore the steps below or use this printable guide to learn more about how to recruit teacher apprentices into the Tennessee Grow Your Own program.

Download Printable Guide

Step 1

Share the Grow Your Own Aspiring Apprentice Profile throughout the district.

  • Share broadly through monthly communications
  • Targeted outreach to classified staff
  • Building level principal outreach
  • TAP teachers outreach to TAP 3 and 4 students
  • Use a provided sample email template intended to send to district staff
Snapshot of Aspiring Apprentice Profile Webpage.

Step 2

Aspiring apprentices will receive an automated email after completing the aspiring apprentice profile.

Snapshot example of Aspiring Apprentice automated email.

Step 3

The district’s Grow Your Own point of contact (POC) can access their district’s list of interested aspiring apprentices as needed. If your district’s POC has changed, please contact growyourown@tennessee.edu to receive access. A 1 minute video tutorial provides guidance on viewing your district’s interested candidates.

Note: If no one is listed when you view your link, the Tennessee Grow Your Own Center has not received an AA Profile from anyone that has indicated they work in your district. Please direct interested staff to complete step 1 above.

Snapshot example of GYO video tutorial for how to view district’s interested candidates.

Step 4

Organize and invite all interested candidates to a Grow Your Own interest meeting, possibly breaking into groups based on credit hours completed.

This is a great time to invite your community college and/or EPP partners. Director of Schools, CTE, HR, Marketing, Instructional Supervisors and TAP teachers should also attend.

Step 5

District builds a consistent selection process for selecting GYO candidates, considering the district’s needs assessment.

Suggestions for a consistent selection process include:

  • Request letter of intent from candidate
  • Consider work history
  • Consider principal recommendation
  • Conduct interviews, considering candidates’ ability to complete college coursework (including time constraints) and dedication to becoming a teacher
  • Establish a selection committee comprising district administrators, teachers, HR, and other stakeholders.

Step 6

Selected aspiring apprentices will follow remaining steps in the Aspiring Apprentice checklist starting with Step 2 to enroll in partnering EPP. Make sure aspiring apprentices have completed all actions in Step 1 of checklist.

Grow Your Own Aspiring Apprentice Checklist

Step 7

Celebrate with a teacher apprenticeship signing day. Modeled after college sports signing days, these events recognize aspiring educators as they officially commit to earning their teaching credentials while serving their schools. It’s a meaningful way to highlight their dedication and showcase your district’s investment in growing its own teachers.

Teacher Apprenticeship Signing Day