Jada Wiggins

As a first-grade teacher in Petersburg, Virginia, Jada Wiggins is living her dream—and she credits much of her early success to the Hybrid Education Residency Opportunity (HERO) Registered Apprenticeship Program at Virginia State University (VSU). A participant since the summer of 2024, Jada is among a new generation of educators gaining real-world classroom experience while completing their degree requirements, thanks to the earn-and-learn model of Registered Apprenticeship.

“I didn’t want to just student teach and hope I was ready,” Jada explains. “I wanted the experience—and the support—that comes with actually being in the classroom every day. That’s what HERO gave me.”

A Hands-On Path to Confidence and Career Growth

For Jada, the Registered Apprenticeship model wasn’t just a career move—it was a confidence builder. Like many new teachers, she faced moments of doubt, wondering whether she was doing things the right way. Through the apprenticeship, she found reassurance and guidance not only from her professors at VSU but also from her school leadership and peers within Petersburg City Public Schools.

“This job is something you really have to learn by doing,” she says. “With this program, I wasn’t just thrown out there on my own. I had people I could go to with questions, and that made a huge difference.”

Supportive leadership at her school also played a key role. Her principal, who remembers how isolating his first year was, established a New Teacher Academy to provide mentorship and community for early-career educators like Jada. Alongside a team of experienced teachers and an encouraging assistant principal, Jada felt empowered, connected, and ready to grow.

A Stronger Future for Students and Teachers

Jada believes Registered Apprenticeship benefits more than just individual apprentices—it strengthens the entire education system. “When teachers get hands-on experience and support early on, they’re more likely to stay in the profession,” she notes. “That continuity benefits our students, too. We’re able to bring proven strategies into the classroom from the start.”

She’s already seeing the results firsthand—more confident teaching, stronger relationships with families, and a clear vision for her future in education. “I’ve gotten more experience than most people my age,” she says. “This program helped me step out of my ‘young adult’ world and into a professional one.”

Advice for Aspiring Apprentices

Jada encourages other aspiring educators to consider Registered Apprenticeship as a launchpad for their careers. “It’s a great opportunity—a chance to learn, grow, and get paid while doing it,” she says. “If something is offered to you that’s connected to your career, take it. You’ll come out of it more prepared, more confident, and more focused.”

Today, Jada is thriving in the classroom and thinking ahead to her next steps. The HERO program helped her find her footing—and her purpose—as a new teacher. As she puts it, “Now it’s all about my career. I know what I want to do next, and how I want to approach it.”

She lives by the motto: “Students are responsible for their success.” But thanks to the strong foundation built through Registered Apprenticeship, Jada Wiggins is making sure they have everything they need to reach it.