Three paraprofessionals from Langford Area and Britton-Hecla school districts are juggling work, family, and studies as they pursue a dream: a teaching license. The South Dakota’s Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway designed to address a teacher shortage, has opened doors for individuals like Kelly Knebel, Ann Stiegelmeier, and Tom Shileny.
The initiative began a year and a half ago when Governor Kristi Noem allocated nearly $8 million to expand apprenticeship opportunities statewide. It targets hard-to-fill teaching positions, which have faced high vacancy rates in recent years.
“Teachers have been among the hardest positions to fill in South Dakota,” said Marcia Hultman, Secretary of the Department of Labor and Regulation. “To address this, we partnered with the Department of Education and post-secondary institutions to launch the Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway.”
The program blends virtual coursework with on-the-job training, enabling paraprofessionals (also known as ‘teachers’ aides’) to stay in their communities while earning a bachelor’s degree. Participants receive mentorship and can graduate through Northern State University or Dakota State University in two years.
Offering degrees in elementary, special, or secondary education, the program provides a low-cost, flexible pathway to teaching. Now in its second year, it’s helping individuals like Kelly Knebel, Ann Stiegelmeier, and Tom Shileny turn their passion for education into lifelong careers.
Local Paras Up To The Task
Knebel who has been a para for fifteen years says education was not necessarily the path she saw herself taking. The Britton native who grew up a Benda went to school to be a nurse and then spent time working in long-term care but found the losses of her residents tough to deal with. As she was job hunting, her husband Basil, a teacher himself, suggested she try out substitute teaching.
“At first, I wasn’t so sure about subbing but I prayed about it and the next thing I knew I was in the classroom,” said Knebel. “I fell in love instantly.”
Knebel, a para at Langford Area who works with elementary and special ed students, realized she had found her niche in education, but four kids and life made going back to school a daunting prospect. “I kept telling myself that I would go back to school and get my teaching degree, but it was never the right time and something always prevented me,” stressed Knebel. “Then my principal approached me about the TAP program and I figured it couldn’t hurt to apply.”
She was accepted into the program last summer and is pursuing a double major in Elementary and Special Education.
Similar to Knebel, Ann Stiegelmeier is also working towards an Elementary Education degree through the TAP program. A Britton native and paraprofessional in the Britton-Hecla School District, she is now in her fourth year as a para.
After earning a nursing degree from Sisseton Wahpeton College, Stiegelmeier’s career in healthcare was cut short due to health concerns. She later began substitute teaching when her daughter Izzy started school, discovering a passion for education that even a lively group of sixth graders couldn’t deter.
As someone with dyslexia, Stiegelmeier found inspiration working with special needs students and vividly recalls a heartfelt note from a student thanking her for helping her learn to read. “That moment solidified my desire to make a difference,” she said.
Traditional routes to a teaching degree proved challenging, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the TAP program offered a solution. “It was like God was saying, ‘Here you go,’” said Stiegelmeier, who hopes to teach in the Britton-Hecla district after earning her degree.
Tom Shileny’s journey to education took an unconventional route as well. A northeast Iowa native and Air Force veteran, Shileny began substitute teaching in central Iowa after the pandemic and was surprised by how much he enjoyed working with students.
“I never thought about teaching before, but I realized it was something I could see myself doing,” he said.
After moving to Britton in 2022, Shileny returned to substitute teaching and became a full-time paraprofessional in 2023. Discovering the TAP program felt like the perfect opportunity to advance his new passion while providing for his family. Shileny is now pursuing a secondary education degree with a focus on math, a subject he feels confident in and knows is in high demand.
Support And Challenges
The three local TAP participants agree that their programs have been rigorous but well run. They all noted that their advisors, instructors and mentors have been beyond helpful and instrumental in their early success.
“Everyone is so supportive,” said Stiegelmeier, “from the teachers to other students.” She describes Zoom meetings with the classmates who have met virtually just to blow off steam as well as work on group projects.
Shileny says that his instructors have been great at offering extra help and direction. He described an hour-long meeting on a Sunday with his calculus professor recently where the teacher helped answer questions and prepare him for future semesters. Knebel agrees too that the instructors have been helpful and understanding.
Still, the newly minted college students admit the challenges and time commitment have been significant as they work their way through their rigorous programs. Stiegelmeier says she has had to cut back on other activities and obligations quite a bit, including dropping off boards and relying more on her husband’s help.
Shileny stressed that it’s necessary to devote time daily to your schoolwork. He added, “It seems like when you stop and take a break, even if you stop for one day, the work piles up on you and you get behind because of the compressed style of the program.”
Knebel agreed regarding the effort required for the program. “Sometimes it gets to be a little frustrating and I get a little overwhelmed, but I just keep telling myself that there is an end date to the extra work, and it will be so fun to finally have that college degree.”
Bright Futures
At their respective schools, the administrators are also excited for the potential teachers and the TAP program in general. “Most paras are rooted in the community and have been there for years, like Kelly,” Shad Storley, Langford Area Superintendent said regarding Knebel. “I’m excited that this program will let them continue that local commitment as we hopefully address the teacher shortage.”
“In all my years in education, I have seen many programs, and this is one of the best ones. I see it’s worth and hope it continues,” said Storley.
Britton-Hecla Superintendent Steve Benson echoed that sentiment. “It’s often hard for smaller districts to compete with big cities and convince people to come to a small town,” Benson noted. “So if you can grow your own teachers and keep them, it’s very beneficial.”
For their part, the TAP participants are looking forward to 2026 when they are all slated to complete the program. At that point, they all hope to use their newly gained teaching certificates to benefit their local classrooms. “I know what I want to do,” confirmed Stiegelmeier. “I want to be at the school, and I want to be with those kids.” Shileny agreed, “I like where I am, I like the school, and I think in the end, the effort will all be worth it.”
In the meantime, the three students are happy to have this opportunity despite the challenges of the program. “I am so grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to advance my degree and continue to be the best I can be,” emphasized Knebel. “Life works in God’s time and we may not always know the path but we must have faith and trust in him.”
