Hawkinson worked as a paraeducator in Susan Harris’s special education classroom at Iola High School for five years. Harris recognized her problem-solving skills and determination and encouraged her to join the Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program (RTAP) to become a fully licensed special education teacher.
“I just saw an opportunity for her,” Harris said. “I knew she was brilliant, and she needed that challenge. She’s overcome a lot of obstacles to get to this point. She’s strong and she’s courageous.”
“I don’t think I would have ever pushed myself to do this,” Hawkinson said. “Susan was in a meeting, and on the board there was this plan. It was, ‘this is what you’re going to do,’ and I was like, ‘okay, I’m game, let’s do this.’”
Hawkinson completed her bachelor’s degree online through Western Governors University, whose competency-based format allowed her to move quickly toward her goal.
“I pushed myself as fast as I could because my goal was to be a teacher,” she said. “I love my students, my kids. They’re just part of me.”
Hawkinson said RTAP’s accelerated path to licensure and the ability to earn wages while student teaching were major benefits.
“You can get paid for it instead of having to take 60 days off,” she said. “That’s what saved me.”
Korenne Wolken, director of ANW Special Education Interlocal #603, helped Hawkinson navigate the process, along with Dr. Joel Gillaspie, RTAP coordinator at the Kansas State Department of Education. Six additional ANW apprentices are currently participating in RTAP.
Shane Carter, KSDE director of teacher licensure, said Hawkinson’s achievement is significant because she is the first RTAP completer certified in special education.
“This is great news for the state of Kansas,” Carter said. “We’ve got a teacher that’s in one of our hardest to fill vacancy types, special education.”
About 90 new apprentices are joining the fall 2026 RTAP cohort, bringing total participation to more than 400 since the program began in 2023.
