Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson, far left, speaks to 20 Topeka USD 501 high school students at the district's Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers (TCALC) on Aug. 15, during  ceremony where they officially committed to the Kansas Youth Teacher Apprenticeship Program. (Photo: Topeka Public Schools Facebook)

A group of 20 Topeka USD 501 high school students recently made significant strides toward becoming teachers by officially committing to the Kansas Youth Teacher Apprenticeship Program. 

During the Aug. 15 ceremony at the district’s Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers (TCALC), Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson said the program is about “opportunity, commitment, accountability.”  

(Click here to view the video featuring several future educators and Dr. Watson.) 

“A lot of adults got together and said, ‘these young people deserve all that and they will deliver’,” he said. “And so, we do look forward to that delivery and we’ll be with you all along the way, helping you and pushing you and making sure this is fulfilling for all of you.” 

The apprenticeship program was developed in partnership with Washburn University, the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Department of Commerce. It gives Topeka USD 501 high school students hands-on experience while earning college credit toward an associate's degree, building the foundation for a bachelor’s degree in education.  

Contact Dr. Joel Gillaspie, coordinator for the teacher apprenticeship program at KSDE, at joel.gillaspie@ksde.gov, for more information.