Mid-Del Schools launches teacher apprenticeship program
Pam Huston speaks during a kickoff event for the Mid-Del ROOTS Program — Raising Our Own Teachers Successfully. Photo by Stacey Boyer
District offers staff pathway to certification through on-the-job training and education
By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon
Mid-Del Schools is giving current employees a new pathway to become fully certified teachers through its Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program.
The program, called Mid-Del ROOTS, was created in response to ongoing challenges in teacher retention and preparation across Oklahoma, according to Pam Huston, assistant superintendent and chief human resources officer.
“Across Oklahoma, we continue to see the challenge of finding and keeping high-quality teachers,” Huston said. “When I conduct exit interviews, many share that they did not feel fully prepared for the realities of the classroom or that the role was different from what they expected. This is not a reflection of the individuals. It reflects a system that was never intended to serve as a long-term solution to the teacher shortage.”
Huston said emergency certification, originally a temporary measure, has expanded over time and often places underprepared teachers in complex roles. Mid-Del ROOTS creates a supported pathway for paraprofessionals, support staff and others in instructional roles who want to earn full certification.
“Mid-Del ROOTS was created to remove those barriers and provide that opportunity, allowing our employees to continue their education, stay employed, and grow their careers right here at home,” Huston said. “It is a long-term investment in our people and a way to grow our own teachers right here in Mid-Del.”
Huston emphasized the program is about more than filling vacancies.
“At the end of the day, it is not just about filling positions. It is about building a stronger, more stable workforce by developing high-quality teachers who are already rooted in our community,” she said.
The district partnered with the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center, Western Governors University and Edwell to design the program. WGU offers flexible, competency-based degree programs allowing participants to progress at their own pace while working full-time. Edwell helps school districts build sustainable workforce pathways through registered apprenticeship programs.
“The timeline varies depending on each participant’s starting point,” Huston said. “For some, it may take a few years to complete their degree and certification, while others may move more quickly if they already have college credits or a prior degree. That flexibility is one of the strengths of the program.”
Participants will continue in their current roles while completing coursework online, gaining hands-on experience and receiving mentorship. They will also receive monthly training in classroom culture, instructional practices, teacher well-being, student engagement and inclusive learning environments.
“While there are pathways that allow individuals to serve in classrooms without full certification, our goal is to ensure that every student is taught by a fully certified teacher who has been properly prepared in the areas that matter most for student success,” Huston said. “This program provides a clear pathway to move beyond temporary or emergency credentials and earn full certification, leading to stronger instructional practice, greater confidence in the classroom, and long-term career stability.”
