Teacher Apprenticeship Program
Full-time Program for Teachers
The Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP) is an intensive, full time eleven week apprenticeship
program for teachers interested in teaching in early childhood classrooms. In order to build
high quality early childhood education classrooms, we know that teachers benefit from
hands-on learning experiences with mentor teachers and sustained time to engage in learning
about best practices as an early childhood teacher.
During the eleven week apprenticeship period, a group of up to twelve teachers will be selected to
participate in the program. Each apprentice teacher is placed in a model early childhood setting
side by side with a mentor teacher for five hours each morning. Early childhood settings include
centers, family and group family care, and nursery schools. In the afternoon, the apprentice
teachers gather for a collaborative seminar.
Our goal is to place 200 DAY ONE teachers in Poughkeepsie and Dutchess County over the next five years.
Teachers successfully completing the eleven week apprenticeship program will be eligible for a
monthly stipend as long as certain criteria continue to be met (e.g. demonstration of ongoing
best practices in the classroom; continued employment in an early childhood home, center or
school within Dutchess or Ulster County; continued participation in ongoing supervision
mentorship.)
