Ashlyn Riggs, a senior in Wichita State’s online Teacher Apprentice Program™ (TAP), is not just working toward her Bachelor of Arts in early childhood unified/elementary education — she’s already living her dream of becoming a teacher. Originally from Cheney, Kansas, Ashlyn benefits from WSU’s forward-thinking TAP, which blends academic advancement with hands-on classroom experience, allowing her to apply what she learns in real-time while earning her degree.
As the lead substitute teacher at WSU’s Child Development Center (CDC), Ashlyn steps into the shoes of lead teachers when they’re absent, working with children ranging from birth to pre-K. “I love being able to be part of a program that works around my work schedule so I can gain on-the-job experience while also taking classes at my own convenience,” she shares.