Dakota State to host SD TAP Get-Together on June 5
May 14, 2026
Dakota State University will host a South Dakota Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway (SD TAP) Get-Together on Friday, June 5, bringing together participants from all cohorts of the statewide teacher apprenticeship initiative for a day of connection, recognition, and celebration.
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Heartland Captains Club at the Beacom PREMIER Complex.
Launched in 2023, SD TAP was created to help paraprofessionals become licensed teachers while continuing to work in South Dakota classrooms. The statewide initiative is a collaboration among the South Dakota Department of Education, the South Dakota Department of Labor & Regulation, the South Dakota Board of Regents, Dakota State University, Northern State University, local school districts, and other state partners.
Since its launch, the program has continued to expand, with multiple funded cohorts and growing participation across the state. Earlier this year, the program secured funding for a fourth cohort, allowing another estimated 40 students to enter the pathway. More than 70 participants have already graduated from the program.
“The South Dakota Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway continues to create meaningful opportunities for paraprofessionals across our state,” said Dr. David De Jong, dean of DSU’s College of Education & Human Performance. “This gathering is an opportunity to celebrate the dedication of these future educators, the school districts supporting them, and the partnerships that are helping strengthen South Dakota’s teacher workforce.”
The get-together will welcome apprentices from every cohort, along with mentors, school leaders, faculty, and state partners who have supported the program’s growth. The event will provide opportunities for networking, recognition, and shared learning among participants who are balancing coursework, careers, and classroom responsibilities while pursuing teaching degrees.
The TAP model allows participants to complete coursework online while remaining employed in their local school districts, helping reduce barriers for working adults and strengthening educator pipelines in communities across South Dakota. 101 of the 148 school districts in the state have been involved with the SD TAP program, including 12 that have had students represented all three years.
DSU has played a leading role in the initiative through its online elementary education and special education programs. The university currently supports one of the state’s largest apprenticeship efforts and has expanded related apprenticeship opportunities in education and cyber fields.
Additional information about the South Dakota Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway is available through the South Dakota Department of Education and Dakota State University.