If you're already part of a school community—as a paraprofessional, school staff member or career changer—Grow Your Own pathways are designed with you in mind.
These hands-on, paid programs help future teachers earn their degrees and licenses while gaining real classroom experience. Whether through a teacher residency, a registered apprenticeship or even a high school program, you'll get the support you need to launch your teaching career and stay rooted in the community you care about.
Grow Your Own is about opening doors for more people to become educators. It’s about mentorship, support and growing great teachers from within.
Not sure which path is right for you? Let’s explore it together.
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Elementary Ed and ABS (Dual)
Still not sure which path fits you? Connect with a TeachMN coach who can help you explore your options, compare programs and plan your next steps.
Get paid to become a licensed Minnesota teacher while staying rooted in your community.
Teaching apprenticeships and residencies lead to real jobs. 93 percent of graduates stay employed after finishing. (1)
Feature | Residency | Apprenticeship |
---|---|---|
Length | ~1 year | ~2-3 years |
Start With | Bachelor’s degree* | Associate’s degree or some college credits* |
Your Role | Co-teacher (full-time) | Paid school employee |
Degree Earned | Master’s* + license or license-only | Bachelor’s* + license |
Compensation | Stipend | Full-time pay |
Lead Partner | Your teacher prep program | Your employer (school district) |
Mentorship | Mentor teacher + university | Mentor teacher + district |
*Residencies are commonly offered at the graduate level, and apprenticeships at the undergraduate level, but this can vary. Check individual programs for details. Download the full comparison guide from the Minnesota Department of Education.