Shelly H. Bazemore

As the Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Coordinator for Virginia State University’s College of Education, Shelly H. Bazemore is leading an ambitious and impactful effort to address Virginia’s teacher shortage. Through two distinct RA programs— Hybrid Education Residency Opportunity (HERO) and the Hopewell Apprenticeship Program—Bazemore is helping to prepare future educators in some of the Commonwealth’s highest-need schools.

Two Pathways to the Classroom

The HERO program serves VSU seniors pursuing Elementary or Special Education licensure. These apprentices spend their entire senior year teaching in Petersburg City Public Schools (PCPS) while completing coursework online. Each is paired with an onsite mentor and supported by a VSU university supervisor. HEROs are encouraged to remain in the district for three years post-graduation, promoting continuity and stability in local classrooms. The program graduated four apprentices in its first year (2023–2024), followed by eight more in its second year (2024–2025). Five students are currently on track for the 2025–2026 cohort.

The program at Hopewell Public Schools targets instructional assistants and paraprofessionals already working in Hopewell City Public Schools. These apprentices begin the pathway to licensure as early as their freshman year at VSU. Each works alongside a licensed teacher-mentor and progresses through coursework with the goal of entering the classroom as a fully licensed educator. The program is now in its third year and currently supports eight apprentices.

A Shared Mission to Serve

Both programs were born from a commitment to address two of the most challenging areas of teacher recruitment: elementary and special education in economically disadvantaged communities. These are schools where all students receive free and reduced lunch, and where teacher turnover is often highest.

Bazemore explains, “We’re working with apprentices who are serving students with the greatest needs. Through on-the-job training and mentorship, they not only learn how to teach effectively—they come to love and understand the communities they serve.”

Partnership Is Key

VSU’s RA programs are deeply collaborative. In Hopewell, Ms. Gwen Best of the HR department helped launch and manage the apprenticeship structure and continues to coordinate monthly professional development and Q&A sessions with Bazemore. Dr. Shalini Upadhyaya, a VSU university supervisor, provides direct classroom observations and weekly performance reports.

In Petersburg, Eboni Davis and Patrice Thornhill manage mentor pairings and school placements, while Dr. Aretha McNeil, the VSU supervisor, ensures daily instructional support. Thanks to Dr. McNeil’s leadership, and a newly implemented monthly Mentor Program led by a local school principal, Petersburg’s apprentices have thrived.

Measurable Impact

The numbers speak for themselves:

• Hopewell: 8 apprentices active in each of the first two years; 7 continuing and 1 newly hired in the third year.
• Petersburg: 6 apprentices in Year 1 (4 graduates), 8 in Year 2 (all graduated), and 5 currently in Year 3—all hired as employees.

“The success of these programs is a direct result of collaboration,” Bazemore notes. “Our supervisors, school partners, and university faculty are all invested in seeing these apprentices succeed.”

Looking Ahead

With state funding covering tuition and local school divisions paying apprentices’ salaries, Bazemore believes the RA model offers a scalable, sustainable solution for the teacher shortage. She’s optimistic about expanding into new districts and continues to seek partnerships with schools ready to invest in long-term teacher development.

To other organizations considering Registered Apprenticeship, Bazemore is clear: “It’s a win-win. You train committed educators while building loyalty and continuity in your schools. The return on investment is incredible.”

Through Shelly H. Bazemore’s leadership, Virginia State University is not just filling classrooms—it’s transforming them, one apprentice at a time.