PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County Schools is gearing up to graduate its first class of teacher apprentices, an innovative program designed to promote support staff to full-time teachers.

What You Need To Know

Pinellas County Schools is about to graduate its first cohort of teacher apprentices

The two-year program combines college coursework with real-world teaching experience

This graduation comes as the district faces staffing challenges, lessened by success of the apprenticeship

By fall 2026, 25 more staffers will be part of the teacher apprentice program

Tamara McKinney says it’s like she was called to teach.

“When I was a little girl, I did — I always wanted to be a teacher. I would set my dolls up and they would be my students,” said McKinney.

As a mother of an adult son with disabilities, McKinney knows what children with special needs need. That’s how she ended up at PCS’ Nina Harris Exceptional Student Education Center as a paraprofessional.

But, she says, she had more to give. That’s when she heard about the teacher apprenticeship program.

“The purpose of the program is truly to match them with a mentor, and they’re with the same mentor for two years, they’re in that classroom, co-teaching side by side and learning from our experts,” said Dr. Nicole Gallucci-Landis, HR partner with the school district.

The program for PCS support staff combines virtual college coursework with real-world teaching experience. After two years, and at no cost to the participant, they graduate and get promoted to full-time teachers.

All throughout, they’re making more money than they would in their parapro jobs and then have an even better job waiting for them when it’s all finished.

“I was telling my coworkers that I felt, at one point, that the county didn’t really care about us support staff. This was many years ago. And then, once this program came about, and all of the support I’ve received, I’ve changed my mindset,” said McKinney.

Pinellas County’s program is the first to be endorsed by the Florida Department of Education. 

A group of 24 is set to sign their contracts by the end of February, graduate in May and be in their own classroom by August. Ten more staffers started the apprenticeship in January, with 15 more slated to begin in the fall.

“What we’re finding is they want to become teachers, but for whatever reason — life, financial reasons, they’ve cared about everybody else but themselves — but they have a desire and a passion to become a teacher and they’re so good with their kids. So this program supports that and then, we’re growing our own,” said Gallucci-Landis.

Growing themselves, so they can pour into others.