First Teacher Apprentices Graduating from Bluefield University - Bluefield University
Source: https://www.bluefield.edu/first-teacher-apprentices-graduating-from-bluefield-university
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:27
First Teacher Apprentices Graduating from Bluefield University - Bluefield University
Bluefield University in the News
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First Teacher Apprentices Graduating from Bluefield University
by
Bluefield University
|
Apr 21, 2026
The first education students to participate in Bluefield University’s Grow Your Own Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program are graduating this May. The program, which served individuals working as paraprofessionals within Tazewell County, allowed these teacher apprentices to finish the last two years of their bachelor’s degrees with full funding.
The university began its Teacher Apprenticeship Program in partnership with Tazewell County Public Schools in 2024 through grant funding from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). During the program, teacher apprentices gained valuable on-the-job training while completing their college coursework.
“The Teacher Apprenticeship Program was designed to remove barriers for individuals to complete their bachelor’s degrees in education and obtain teacher licensure,” said Dr. Shellie Brown, Dean for the School of Education and Social Sciences. “We are very thankful for this opportunity for our students and the partnership with Tazewell County Public Schools.”
Bluefield University has three teacher apprentices currently completing student teaching and graduating in May 2026.
LoriAne Lester, Bachelor of Science in Special Education K-12, is a teacher apprentice at Tazewell High School. “My experience with the Teacher Apprenticeship Program has been truly fabulous,” LoriAne shared. “The partnership between Bluefield University and Tazewell County Public Schools allowed me to continue working in my school while completing my education degree online.”
Michelle Murphy, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education PreK-6, is a teacher apprentice at Graham Intermediate School. “The most impactful part of my journey at Bluefield University is the relationships I have built with my peers and professors who have encouraged and supported me along my journey,” Michelle said. “Their guidance and shared experiences have helped shape my growth as both a student and a future educator.”
Christina Taylor, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education PreK-6, is a teacher apprentice at Richlands Elementary School. “My experience in the Teacher Apprenticeship Program has been incredibly meaningful,” Christina shared. “I’ve loved being in the classroom every day, building relationships with my students, and learning from my mentor as I grow into the teacher I want to become.”
“The Teacher Apprenticeship Program has allowed LoriAne, Michelle, Christina, and other teacher apprentices the opportunity to train locally within Bluefield University’s flexible online programs and to stay local as they begin to teach for Tazewell County,” Dr. Brown said.
To learn more about the education programs offered by Bluefield University, both online and on-campus at the graduate and undergraduate levels, visit our
School of Education & Social Sciences
page.
Bluefield University
[email protected]
• 276.326.4212
Skip to content
Bluefield University in the News
< Back to News & Events
First Teacher Apprentices Graduating from Bluefield University
by
Bluefield University
|
Apr 21, 2026
The first education students to participate in Bluefield University’s Grow Your Own Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program are graduating this May. The program, which served individuals working as paraprofessionals within Tazewell County, allowed these teacher apprentices to finish the last two years of their bachelor’s degrees with full funding.
The university began its Teacher Apprenticeship Program in partnership with Tazewell County Public Schools in 2024 through grant funding from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). During the program, teacher apprentices gained valuable on-the-job training while completing their college coursework.
“The Teacher Apprenticeship Program was designed to remove barriers for individuals to complete their bachelor’s degrees in education and obtain teacher licensure,” said Dr. Shellie Brown, Dean for the School of Education and Social Sciences. “We are very thankful for this opportunity for our students and the partnership with Tazewell County Public Schools.”
Bluefield University has three teacher apprentices currently completing student teaching and graduating in May 2026.
LoriAne Lester, Bachelor of Science in Special Education K-12, is a teacher apprentice at Tazewell High School. “My experience with the Teacher Apprenticeship Program has been truly fabulous,” LoriAne shared. “The partnership between Bluefield University and Tazewell County Public Schools allowed me to continue working in my school while completing my education degree online.”
Michelle Murphy, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education PreK-6, is a teacher apprentice at Graham Intermediate School. “The most impactful part of my journey at Bluefield University is the relationships I have built with my peers and professors who have encouraged and supported me along my journey,” Michelle said. “Their guidance and shared experiences have helped shape my growth as both a student and a future educator.”
Christina Taylor, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education PreK-6, is a teacher apprentice at Richlands Elementary School. “My experience in the Teacher Apprenticeship Program has been incredibly meaningful,” Christina shared. “I’ve loved being in the classroom every day, building relationships with my students, and learning from my mentor as I grow into the teacher I want to become.”
“The Teacher Apprenticeship Program has allowed LoriAne, Michelle, Christina, and other teacher apprentices the opportunity to train locally within Bluefield University’s flexible online programs and to stay local as they begin to teach for Tazewell County,” Dr. Brown said.
To learn more about the education programs offered by Bluefield University, both online and on-campus at the graduate and undergraduate levels, visit our
School of Education & Social Sciences
page.
Bluefield University
[email protected]
• 276.326.4212
Skip to content