Teacher Apprentice Program - Early Childhood Unified/Elementary Education SY26/27

Teacher Apprentice Program TAP - Teaching Opportunity for 2026-2027 School Year & Upcoming Information Sessions

Kansas City Kansas Public Schools is seeking individuals with an accredited associates or bachelors degree or at least 60 college credits who are interested in becoming early childhood or elementary teachers through the Teacher Apprentice Program TAP.

Through TAP candidates earn a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Unified Elementary Education from Wichita State University and become eligible to teach in the district in accordance with Kansas State Department of Education alternative certification guidelines.

The program is open to KCKPS employees who:

• Meet eligibility criteria
• Are willing to cover tuition and fees if district scholarships are unavailable
• Are admitted to Wichita State University
• Successfully complete the interview process for the KCKPS Elementary Teacher role.

If you fulfill both the Wichita State and KCKPS Teacher employment criteria, you may be eligible to become a Teacher of Record with a bachelors degree, complete one 1 semester or associates degree/60 college credits, complete two 2 semesters of WSU coursework, and meet Limited TAP licensure requirements to become a Teacher of Record.

We will review completed applications with all required documents from Wednesday, March 18, 2026 through Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

Please attend one of the information sessions below to review program requirements before applying. If you have already attended a virtual session, complete the application in full. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Virtual Information Sessions

• Tuesday, 3/17/2026, 5 - 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, 3/31/2026, 5 - 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, 4/7/2026, 5 - 6 p.m.

Registration Link for Information Sessions:https://forms.gle/tPKZWp96DN91jGmn7

Deadline for Receiving Applications - Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Mandatory Documents (applications will not be considered until all documents are received):

• Resume: Covers your full and part-time employment.
• Letter of Support/Recommendation: Attach a letter of support from a current or previous school district administrator or supervisor.
• Unofficial transcripts: From all colleges/universities you attended, including community colleges. These will be considered with the initial application.
• Complete the Consent to Release Information: This form gives WSU permission to release your transcript analysis results to the alternative certification programs advisor with KCKPS.
• Form:https://forms.gle/wCv9sDVjjmJG2Xwz8

Documents to Attach: Attach your resume, transcripts, and a letter of support from a school district administrator or supervisor.

To learn more, watch this video:https://www.wichita.edu/academics/applied_studies/TAP/Teacher_Apprentice_Program.php

Entry Requirements (Fall classes August 3, 2026 through December 10, 2026):

• Associates or Bachelors degree from an accredited college.
• Minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA.
• Serve as a paraprofessional, long-term substitute, ESL aide, or instructional aide with instructional responsibilities in a classroom.
• Offered a position as a classroom teacher within the parameters of a Limited Teacher Apprentice License.

Program Requirements:

• 65 credit hours are needed for program completion.
• Two-year program completed in an online format.
• With a bachelors degree, complete one 1 semester or an associates degree and complete two 2 semesters of WSU coursework to become a Teacher of Record.
• Apply for an LTAP license through the Kansas State Department of Education.

Tuition, Scholarships, and Fees:

• $40.00 application fee.
• Tuition rate of $258.37 per credit hour (approximately $17,000).
• Online course fees, student activity fees, and other fees may apply.
• Tuition scholarships are available through WSU Scholarship Universe.
• Book fees vary each semester.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. The individual holding this position performs additional duties and additional duties may be assigned.

Kansas City Kansas Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KCKPS is an equal opportunity employer and shall not discriminate in its employment practices and policies with respect to hiring, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment because of an individuals race, color, religion, sex/gender (to include orientation, identity, or expression), age, disability, national origin, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law.