Bluefield State Develops Teacher Apprenticeship Program
Bluefield State University (BSU) has been selected to receive resources from a federal grant program to develop a fully online, job-embedded Bachelor of Science program in education. This innovative program is designed to enable apprentices to learn while they earn as they complete their teacher licensure requirements.
The State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Infrastructure Development (SAEF 2) Grant will fund BSU’s creation of a comprehensive online education degree that aligns seamlessly with the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) registered Teacher Apprentice Program. This alignment creates a robust pathway for aspiring educators, ultimately benefiting students and communities across West Virginia.
“This grant represents a transformative opportunity for Bluefield State University to address critical teacher shortages while providing accessible pathways into the teaching profession,” said Dr. Darrin Martin, President of Bluefield State University. “By enabling apprentices to work in classrooms while completing their degrees, we’re creating sustainable solutions to educational workforce challenges.”
Dr. Terene Stiltner, Professor of Special Education and Director of Teacher Education at Bluefield State University, emphasized the program’s innovative approach: “This Grant enables us to reimagine teacher preparation through a ‘learn while you earn’ model. Our fully online Bachelor of Science program will allow apprentice teachers to immediately apply what they’re learning in their own classrooms, creating a powerful feedback loop between theory and practice.”
“This job-embedded approach not only makes teaching more accessible as a career path but produces educators who are exceptionally well-prepared for classroom realities,” – Dr. Stiltner
Through the SAEF 2 Grant, Bluefield State University will develop a fully online, job-embedded Bachelor of Science in Education program that integrates directly with the WVDE and DOL registered Teacher Apprentice Program. The university will design comprehensive support systems to ensure apprentice success, including virtual mentoring and coaching, while implementing specialized pathways for high-need certification areas. BSU will also establish strategic partnerships with school districts across the state to place apprentices in classrooms where they can immediately apply their learning while earning their degrees.
“This initiative addresses a critical need in West Virginia by expanding access to high-quality teacher preparation while strengthening our local schools,” said Edward Toman, Superintendent of Mercer County Schools. “By allowing aspiring educators to gain hands-on experience in classrooms while completing their degrees, this program ensures that West Virginia students benefit from well-prepared, committed teachers who understand the unique needs of our communities.”
The project will include the development and creation of collaborative articulation agreements with Community and Technical College partners, aimed at creating seamless pathways to a Bachelor of Science in Education with licensure.
Pres. Martin noted: “The alignment between BSU’s new program and the West Virginia Department of Education’s registered Teacher Apprentice Program represents exactly the kind of innovation needed to address our state’s education workforce challenges. This collaborative approach creates multiple entry points to the teaching profession while maintaining rigorous standards.”
Bluefield State University has a long history of preparing educators for West Virginia schools. The SAEF 2 Grant builds upon this foundation by creating flexible, accessible pathways that meet the needs of today’s education workforce. For more information about Bluefield State University’s online teacher education program and the SAEF 2 Grant initiative, please contact Dr. Terene Stiltner, Director of Teacher Education Programs at Bluefield State University, at tstiltner@bluefieldstate.edu.
