Secretary of Education Joe Graves talks about the Teacher Apprenticeship program

MITCHELL, S.D.(KMIT)- A new state Teacher Apprenticeship program will help create a pathway for some paraeducators and others to become teachers.  South Dakota Education Secretary Joe Graves says the impetus for the program was the state’s teacher shortage.

He says Governor Noem is fully behind the program.

Graves says it is not known if the program will extend beyond its initial two years.

The program will include participants from all across the state.