As nearly every U.S. state embraces on-the-job Apprenticeship Degrees to address continued teacher shortages, the state of Arkansas stands as a leader in pioneering this affordable, accessible and career-aligned training program. In partnership with Reach University, the state first offered job-embedded degrees to aspiring teachers, known as Apprenticeship Degrees, in 2020 — years ahead of its national peers.
This early adoption has led to high-potential paraprofessionals completing Reach’s job-embedded degree program, earning a debt-free bachelor’s degree and teaching license, and moving into a classroom-ready teaching position shortly after graduation. To date, Reach has witnessed three cohorts of paraprofessionals transition into qualified teachers in Arkansas (as of August 2024).
In celebration of Reach’s most recent graduates, The Today Show and NBC News featured the journey of the remarkable Ms. Gwendolyn Thomas from Arkansas’ rural Earle School District.
"I was able to work and go to school at the same time. And also, not only that, I didn’t have to come on my pocket to pay anything," said Thomas, who received her certification from Reach University, which has more than 2,000 candidates across 343 school districts. "What I learned in class I was able to bring to my classroom, and vice versa," Thomas said. "Whatever I did in the classroom, I was able to perform in class."
With the support of Superintendent Ryan Burgess and former Principal Juanita Dotson, Ms. Gwen, as she is affectionately known by her young learners, achieved a 30-year-long dream — completing a debt-free bachelor’s degree, in her home community, and becoming a licensed teacher.
Get to know Ms. Gwen's Reach journey and the power of an Apprenticeship Degree:
Fast Links: