BLUEFIELD, Va. — Aspiring teachers in Southwest Virginia are already stepping into classrooms, gaining hands-on experience while earning their degrees through Bluefield University’s Grow Your Own Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program. The initiative, funded by the Virginia Department of Education, provides a direct path to teacher licensure by combining on-the-job training with fully covered tuition and fees.
The program allows teacher apprentices to work as paraprofessionals in local school districts while completing online coursework to finish the final two years of their Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education (PreK-6), special education (K-12), or a dual endorsement. Participants receive full tuition, textbook fees, graduation fees, and teacher licensure assessment fees with no out-of-pocket costs.
Since its launch, Bluefield University has received two major grants to support the program’s expansion. In May 2024, an initial $200,000 grant helped establish the first cohort of eight teacher apprentices in partnership with Tazewell County Public Schools. A second grant of $160,000, awarded in January 2025, funded an additional cohort of eight apprentices, expanding partnerships to include Tazewell, Lee, and Scott County Public Schools.
“We are appreciative for this partnership with Tazewell, Lee, and Scott County Public Schools and the opportunities that the Teacher Apprenticeship Program provides for individuals to complete their degrees and obtain Virginia teaching licenses. We always seek ways to remove obstacles and help individuals reach their goals,” said Dr. Shellie Brown, dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences.
Bluefield University offers additional pathways for both aspiring and current educators looking to advance their careers. Those interested in learning more about how the university can help them reach their goals can apply for free at apply.bluefield.edu. The application takes only a few minutes and provides a clear picture of the next steps in the teaching profession.