<p>Position Type:</p> <p>Opportunities for Current ESP</p> <p>Date Posted:</p> <p>3/30/2026</p> <p>Location:</p> <p>To Be Assigned</p> <p>Closing Date:</p> <p>04/06/2026</p> <p>&nbsp&nbspAdditional Information: Show/Hide</p> <p>Registered Teacher Apprenticeship (RTA) Program</p> <p>WCPS is currently accepting applications from current ESP employees for the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship (RTA) Program, which allows current paraprofessionals to earn their Maryland State teaching license.</p> <p>Program Summary</p> <p>The Registered Teacher Apprenticeship (RTA) Program is a no-cost pathway that allows current paraprofessionals (or ESP staff or substitutes willing to apply for and transfer into paraprofessional roles) to earn their Maryland teaching license in one of five areas: Elementary Education, Special Education, Secondary English, Secondary Mathematics, or Secondary Science.</p> <p>Program Expectations & Commitment</p> <ul> <li>Must be a current WCPS Educational Support Personnel staff member </li><li>Must be in good standing (no letters of discipline or performance improvement plans within the previous 12 months of employment) </li><li>Must have a satisfactory supervisor evaluation </li><li>Complete all required coursework toward teacher licensure </li><li>Maintain satisfactory academic progress in an approved educator preparation program </li><li>Successfully complete required licensure assessments (e.g., Praxis, performance-based assessments) </li><li>Commit to five years of teaching within the district upon program completion </li></ul> <p>Paraprofessional Requirements</p> <p>Minimum Requirements</p> <ul> <li>High School Diploma/GED. </li><li>Highly Qualified status (A.A. Degree, 48 credit hours, or have successfully passed the Paraprofessional Praxis Test). </li><li>Ability to lift between 30-50 pounds in specified situations. </li><li>Regular and predictable attendance which is an essential function of this position. </li><li>Ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations. </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Competency with fundamental reading, writing, arithmetic, and communication skills. </li><li>Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work harmoniously with staff, students, and community. </li><li>Training and experience working with populations relevant to the assigned school. </li><li>Two (2) years' experience working with children or a combination of education and experience totaling two years. </li><li>Ability to adapt, receive feedback, and grow professionally </li></ul> <p>Role Responsibilities as Paraprofessional</p> <ul> <li>Work with individual students and small groups of students to reinforce skills introduced by the teacher(s). </li><li>Assist the teacher in devising special strategies for reinforcing skills and instruction. </li><li>Assist the teacher in maintaining classroom organization and a positive learning environment. </li><li>Operate and assist with the care of the classroom equipment. </li><li>Assist with supervision and management of students during instructional and non-instructional activities. </li><li>Assist with physical care and physical management of students as needed and appropriate. </li><li>Follow through to carry out individual programs designed by the teacher. </li><li>Participate in and/or provide input for team planning functions as appropriate. </li><li>Demonstrate courteous and professional demeanor to all stakeholders of Washington County Public Schools. </li><li>Other duties as assigned. </li></ul> <p>Role Responsibilities as Registered Teacher Apprentice</p> <ul> <li>Demonstrate competency in instructional delivery, student engagement, and assessment practices </li><li>Provide instructional support to individuals and small groups of students </li><li>Assist with lesson preparation, classroom activities, and student engagement </li><li>Support delivery of whole group instruction and learning activities </li><li>Monitor student progress and support implementation of instructional strategies </li><li>Maintain a structured, positive, and inclusive learning environment </li><li>Participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and professional learning </li><li>Communicate effectively with staff, students, and families </li><li>Maintain documentation related to apprenticeship, coursework, and program requirements </li><li>Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, and ethical conduct </li></ul> <p>Environmental Factors and Physical/Mental Requirements</p> <ul> <li>The Environmental Factors and Physical/Mental demands represent the requirements an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. </li><li>Required periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer and other office equipment. </li><li>Ability to sufficiently and efficiently move throughout the building and grounds for extended periods. </li><li>Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with others, as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, and hear. </li><li>Ability to maintain emotional control under stress. </li><li>Ability to move, raise, lower, and carry objects up to 20 lbs. on an irregular basis. </li><li>Must be able to bend, crouch, stoop, reach, and climb. </li><li>Will be subjected to loud noises, interactions, and traffic flow associated with a highly populated office environment. </li></ul> <p>WCPS Selection Process</p> <p>The initial cohort for Washington County Public Schools will be restricted to 20 participants. To determine the 20 candidates, the WCPS Division of Curriculum and Instruction and Human Resources will use the following factors:</p> <ul> <li>Three professional references, including one from a current administrator/supervisor </li><li>Screening interview with C&I and HR administrators </li><li>Related experiences to education or instruction (coaching, community involvement, etc.) </li></ul>