METTER, GA - Vidalia City Schools is taking a proactive approach to developing the next generation of educators, and on Tuesday, August 18, Amanda Mosley had the opportunity to share that work with educational leaders at First District RESA.
Mosley, who serves as Vidalia City Schools’ Georgia Registered Teacher Apprentice Program Director and teaches Early Childhood Education and Teaching as a Profession at Vidalia High School, presented an overview of the district’s work to create a sustainable pipeline for future educators.
The presentation highlighted the growth of both Vidalia City Schools’ registered teacher apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs during the 2025–2026 school year.
The district began the year with four registered apprentices who were 2025 Vidalia High School graduates. After conversations with Superintendent Dr. Reid about identifying existing paraprofessionals with strong work ethics and the potential to become certified teachers, three additional paraprofessionals were added to the program.
At the same time, Vidalia City Schools began developing the pipeline even farther.
Nine Vidalia High School seniors interested in careers in education became pre-apprentices. Working alongside Vidalia High School Work-Based Learning Coordinator Anna Helms, the district provided these students with an opportunity to gain authentic experience in elementary classrooms. The students were hired as Vidalia City Schools employees and assigned to first-grade classrooms as non-instructional teacher aides, working Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
The initiative goes beyond simply placing future educators in classrooms. Mosley’s presentation demonstrated the intentional support and accountability being built around participants.
In February, GaRTAP funding allowed apprentices to participate in an Apprentice Work Day, providing dedicated time to discuss their school year, college coursework and the support they needed to continue progressing toward their goals. Apprentices also attended the Ron Clark Academy in April.
Community interest has also been encouraging. An April social media post promoting opportunities to become a paraprofessional and learn more about the apprenticeship program generated more than 15 emails from interested community members.
The year culminated with opportunities such as the May 5 Teach in the Peach Educator Signing Day.
Now for the 2026–2027 school year, Vidalia City Schools has 10 apprentices and nine pre-apprentices. During pre-planning, district leaders worked to establish placements and met with supervising teachers, apprentices and pre-apprentices to clearly communicate expectations for the year ahead.
Feedback featured in Mosley’s presentation also showed the impact pre-apprentices are already having in classrooms. Mentor teachers described participants as self-starters who interact well with students, contribute to lessons and provide meaningful support to children.
By introducing high school students to education careers, creating pathways for paraprofessionals to become teachers, providing mentorship and professional learning, and establishing clear systems of support and accountability, Vidalia City Schools is investing in more than filling today's vacancies.
The district is growing tomorrow's teachers from within its own schools and community.
Mosley’s presentation at First District RESA provided an opportunity to share that work with educational leaders across the region, and to demonstrate what can happen when developing the educator workforce begins long before a teaching position becomes vacant.
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