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At Turner USD 202, becoming a teacher doesn’t always start in college, it often begins in the schools themselves. Through the Kansas Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP), the metropolitan Kansas City district is creating a pathway for staff already working with students to grow into future educators while continuing to build experience in the classroom.  

Angel Moises Madrid is one of those apprentices. Having gone through the Turner district as a student, he returned after graduation as a paraprofessional, unsure what direction to take but knowing he enjoyed working with students. Over time, that experience began to shape his future. 

Growing up, Madrid said he didn’t have a strong role model, something that influenced his decision to pursue teaching. 

“There are kids that don’t have that as well,” he said. He began to realize the impact teachers and coaches have had on his life and wanted to provide the same support to students who might need it. 

“I could be a positive impact on students’ lives,” he said. 

Now attending the University of Saint Mary, in Leavenworth, Madrid is working in Turner USD 202 classrooms each day while continuing his coursework. Like many apprentices, his biggest challenge has been balancing full time work with college responsibilities. Managing both requires planning, discipline, and consistency. 

That experience, however, has also helped Madrid grow. 

“My public speaking has gotten better compared to when I first started,” he said. Over time, his confidence has improved as he took more responsibility and gained experience in front of students. 

“Don’t be afraid to be wrong with students,” Madrid said. “You learn from experiences, whether they’re good or bad. That’s what makes you a teacher and an educator.”

His mentor teacher, Alexis Oddo, a 2025 Milken educator, has supported that growth by encouraging him to step into new challenges and build confidence through practice. 

“Mentoring a teacher apprentice in the RTAP program is one of the most meaningful ways to shape the future of education,” Oddo said. “By supporting new educators, we’re directly impacting student success for years to come.”

Miranda Morado’s path into teaching has looked different, but the outcome has been just as significant. Before joining the RTAP, she spent time working in daycares and a veterans homeless shelter while taking a break from college. Although she has always considered teaching, returning to school did not feel like a clear achievable step at the time. 

RTAP changed that. 

Now attending Wichita State University, Morado is pursuing a degree in early childhood special education while working full time in a preschool classroom. Her biggest challenge has been time management, balancing school, work, and personal responsibilities while staying focused on long term goals. 

In the classroom, her confidence has grown steadily. Early on, she was unsure how to respond in challenging situations, but over time she has become more comfortable stepping in, managing behaviors, and taking on instructional roles. 

“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity and program and it truly has changed my life for the best,” Morado said. “Before this program, I probably would still have that lack of ambition, but now it really got my head on straight to finish my career and go back to teaching.” 

Her mentor teacher, Belinda Orth, has seen that growth firsthand and recognizes the long-term impact of the experience. “I really like watching Miranda grow. She’s now more confident about stepping in and trying new strategies with students,” Orth said. 

“One day our apprentices will be a guide for someone else,” she said. 

The RTAP provides a way to address teacher shortages while investing in people who are already part of USD 202. Instead of relying solely on outside candidates, the program creates opportunities for staff who already understand the students, schools, and community. 

Jereme Brueggemann, executive director of administrative services for Turner USD 202, sees the program as both a solution and an opportunity. 

“I’m grateful for the support that KSDE always gives us and for the initiative they took in starting the program,” he said. “I think it’s a great way for us to help some of our aspiring teachers achieve that goal.”

Brueggemann emphasized the importance of reaching out to other districts to learn from their experiences. 

“I think districts shouldn’t be afraid to network with other districts who are doing the program because we can learn from each other,” he said.

Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and consistent support, Turner USD 202 is creating a pathway that allows future educators to develop while already in the classroom. For apprentices like Madrid and Morado, that pathway has provided direction, confidence, and a clear next step. For the district, it represents a long-term investment in building its own teaching workforce.

About Turner USD 202

Turner Unified School District 202 is located in Kansas City, Kansas, in Wyandotte County. It serves a diverse population of approximately 4,000 students across its schools. The district is focused on providing high-quality education while strengthening its workforce through innovative programs like the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program.

For more information about the RTAP, contact Joel Gillaspie or Aysha Satterlee.