Teaching apprenticeships are a way for new teachers to get hands-on experience in the field under the guidance of an experienced professional. The vast majority of apprenticeships in this field are unpaid and are done as a part of the teacher's formal education, though there are some paid apprenticeship positions available. Getting these apprenticeships usually requires high grades and good standing in a post-graduate education program. It also helps to form a good relationship with an experienced teacher.
Many teaching apprenticeships are found in public education. They are also commonly called internships or student teaching assignments and give new public school teachers a chance to practice educating students while under the guidance of an experienced teacher. One of the best ways to get one of these apprenticeships is to get to know a classroom teacher by substitute teaching at a school or observing in the classroom. Teachers often have the final say in who apprentices under them.
It is also important for people who hope to get teaching apprenticeships in public schools to be in good standing in a university teaching program. These programs are usually post-graduate though there are some that combine teacher education with undergraduate subject-matter education. Students who are currently in teaching programs need to get classroom experience through teaching apprenticeships before they are able to graduate from these programs. In many cases, professors in the teaching program may offer apprenticeship placement assistance.
Other types of teachers and educators may also apprentice as a part of their education. Teachers in private schools do not always need to have graduated from a university or from a teacher education program, though they usually need to have some sort of classroom experience. Again, the decision of whether or not to take an apprentice usually falls to the experienced teacher, so hopeful apprentices should make sure that they have a good relationship with the teacher they would like to learn from. It is important to look professional for classroom visits and to be on time for meetings or interviews as well. Having some experience working with school age kids, through after school programs, extra-curricular activities, or summer camps will also help.
In adult education, teaching apprenticeships are also common. Specialty classes, such as yoga, dance, or art are often available through gyms, community education programs, and some continuing education schools. People hoping to get these kinds of teaching jobs should become very familiar with the subject matter by taking classes and attending workshops before they approach teachers to ask to apprentice under them.
