Apprenticeship program transforms pipeline for educators in Spring Branch ISD
A partnership between Texas A&M University-Victoria, Spring Branch Independent School District and Houston City College is changing the landscape for teacher training in Texas.
The THRIVE program, bolstered by federal funding, is aimed to tackle the Spring Branch ISD’s teacher shortage. This “Grow Your Own” initiative emerged through a serendipitous conversation between A&M-Victoria and SBISD during a Houston Teacher Pipeline Community of Practice meeting.
From there, we focused on how to connect aspiring educators with a unique model that blends on-the-job training and academic coursework, said Mary Lasater, associate dean in the College of Education & Health Professions.
“I’d love to keep this partnership going on forever and ever,” said Lasater, who was involved in spearheading the partnership. “It is a really unique and innovative model. They’re employing students within the district and monitor their progress as well.”
Early morning meetings and grants laid out the groundwork for a major shift to develop a teacher preparation pipeline. A pivotal moment came when school districts began exploring ways to cultivate homegrown teaching talent, Lasater said. Partnerships with dynamic individuals from A&M-Victoria; SBISD; HCC; and edwell, Inc., a Registered Apprenticeship Program Sponsor, spurred the creation of a new apprenticeship pathway and began the groundwork for a broader, federally funded initiative, she said.
“Our partnership with Spring Branch ISD through the THRIVE program exemplifies the power of strategic collaboration between higher education and K–12 districts,” said Susan Johnson, A&M-Victoria director for Certification & Student Services. “By aligning university-based teacher preparation with a district’s Grow Your Own initiative, we are building a sustainable pipeline of passionate, well-prepared educators who are day-one ready to teach in the classroom. The SBISD THRIVE partnership is more than a program; it represents a shared commitment to excellence in educator development and to strengthening the future of Texas education.”
The apprenticeship model features a tri-fold approach: employer involvement (school districts), related technical instruction (universities and colleges) and robust on-the-job training. Students are hired as paraprofessionals or teacher aides and begin progressing through academic and experiential ramps, gaining skills, and moving up pay scales as they advance.
“I absolutely love working with Texas A&M University-Victoria and their amazing education team. From the very beginning, they have been incredibly supportive and instrumental in helping our staff pursue their teacher certification through the THRIVE Program,” said Reginald Peters, Spring Branch ISD director of THRIVE pipeline development. “Their commitment to collaboration, communication and student success shines through everything they do. What stands out most is how genuine and invested they are in our shared mission to grow future educators. They don’t just show up – they partner with us every step of the way. They truly embody one of SBISD’s core values, Collaborative Spirit, and that spirit is felt in every interaction. Because of our partnership with Texas A&M University-Victoria, the THRIVE Program continues to grow stronger. Together, we’re building a pipeline of passionate, well-prepared teachers who are ready to make a difference in classrooms across our district. We’re truly better together.”
The partnership with Spring Branch ISD was solidified during the past year but is in the process of being formalized again via a new memorandum of understanding because of the university’s change in governance, Lasater said.
Applicants for the Teacher Apprenticeship Program are selected through a thorough and proactive two-session process that begins with coordinated “road show” events. The first session is an in-person informational road show where representatives from each partner institution share an overview of the program, its benefits, and eligibility requirements. The second session provides hands-on support, as advisors from Texas A&M University-Victoria’s College of Education and Health Professions and Houston City College offer on-site academic advising. During this session, computers are available for applicants to complete the FAFSA and the ApplyTexas application, and participants are encouraged to bring their academic transcripts for review and guidance throughout the application process.
Once applicants are accepted into the Teacher Apprenticeship Program, their academic and professional progress is closely monitored and tracked through each stage of the program. Regular partnership meetings between Texas A&M University-Victoria and Spring Branch ISD ensure that data are shared, supports are coordinated, and no student falls through the cracks. This collaborative monitoring system allows the partners to identify challenges early and provide timely interventions to keep every candidate on track toward certification and classroom success.
Another product of this partnership triad included a collaborative application to the Charles Butt Foundation Scholarship program and ultimately being awarded two $12,000 scholarships per year for three years to chosen HCC and/or A&M-Victoria apprentices working toward their education degree. This scholarship award connected A&M-Victoria, HCC and SBISD with the Houston Teacher Pathways Consortium – further solidifying the partnership.
“We hope this partnership continues to grow and serve as a model for the state,” Lasater said. “This is going to be a game changer across Texas.”
Texas A&M University-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the colleges of Business, Education & Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Natural & Applied Science. A&M-Victoria provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. The university supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.