Two-Year Program in Teacher Apprenticeship

A two-year Teacher Apprenticeship Program (TAP) forms the foundational offering by Faith Builders for those desiring to be equipped as teachers. This program is designed to accommodate the introductory level needs of students preparing to teach in Mennonite, inner city, mission or other church schools. The courses required for this program and when they will be offered are shown in the following table.

Teacher Apprenticing Students are involved in four types of activities at FBEP: study, mentoring, apprenticing, and school service.

STUDYING

TAP Students take courses that cover a broad spectrum of learning. These include Bible, History, Theology, Philosophy, Education, Music, Literature and Communication. A number of courses focus on the particular needs and challenges of K-12 Education. Principles of Teaching and Foundations of Education are core education courses for TAP students.

MENTORING

FBEP offers mentoring opportunities to students, volunteers, and staff. Mentoring is a life-on-life relational process in which a discipler/mentor transfers his or her wisdom, information, experience, confidence, and insight to a disciple so that skills and character can develop. This takes place in group settings and in one-on-one meetings. All TAP students participate in the mentoring program.

APPRENTICING

All students in the Teacher Apprenticing Program are also involved in apprenticing. This focuses on the development of life skills. Those studying to be teachers are apprenticed by instructors in the day school. A four-week intensive apprenticing term in August-September anchors the apprenticing that continues throughout the year. As apprentices, students work along-side experienced teachers, observing, assisting, and then teaching. Student teachers are evaluated regularly by the apprenticing teachers and fellow students.

SCHOOL-SERVICE

TAP Students also participate in the FB School-Service Program. This program involves the students in two hours per week of uncompensated service work around Faith Builders. This program helps control the expense of operating FBEP. In addition, some compensated jobs are available to students as needs arise.

Testimonies from TAP students:

Through the classes, mentoring, and friendships I experienced at FB, I have seen more of the power of God’s presence in my life.

“Spiritual growth and the overflow of love” describes my experience as a TAP student at Faith Builders. I am more equipped to face the challenges of teaching and relating to students and my community.

My time at Faith Builders has been invaluable for preparing me for a teaching career, besides being spiritually enriching and deeply enjoyable.