Celebrating Aaron Pfau: 2026 National Apprentice of the Year
Talent Together is proud to celebrate Apprentice Teacher Candidate Aaron Pfau of East Lansing Public Schools for receiving the 2026 National Apprentice of the Year Award at the Apprenticeships for America National Summit in Washington, D.C. Aaron was recognized on the main stage in front of more than 1,000 attendees after being nominated by Talent Together for this national honor.
Aaron Pfau receiving his award at the AFA Summit
Aaron is currently completing his Registered Apprenticeship Program through East Lansing Public Schools while pursuing a Master of Arts in Education at Northern Michigan University. Following Aaron’s apprenticeship, he will be a Michigan-certified special education teacher with an endorsement in learning disabilities.
The Apprenticeships for America award recognizes apprentices who demonstrate the power of Registered Apprenticeship Programs to improve participant outcomes while supporting employers, schools, and communities. Award recipients are selected based on their professional growth, perseverance, partnership-building, and advocacy for apprenticeship opportunities.
Aaron’s journey into education reflects both dedication and resilience. Before joining Talent Together, he built an educational background in criminal justice and spent more than four years working directly with students with special needs. He also volunteered with a local non-profit, End Violent Encounters (EVE), by supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Aaron began his career in education as a paraprofessional with Okemos Public Schools in an Autism Spectrum Disorder sixth-grade classroom, supporting students in mathematics, social skills, and writing development. In December 2019, Aaron transitioned to East Lansing Public Schools, where he served as a full-time paraprofessional in an early childhood Autism Spectrum Disorder classroom, assisting young learners with special needs. During the 2020–2021 school year, he also worked full-time with sixth-grade students experiencing behavioral challenges, helping support social skill development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs.
Although Aaron faced challenges securing a placement and started his Registered Apprenticeship Program later than expected, he quickly exceeded expectations. He rapidly caught up on U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship program standards and classroom responsibilities while consistently demonstrating professionalism, determination, and a strong commitment to growth. Aaron’s mentor teacher, Patti Sanchawala, noted that Aaron actively seeks feedback and continuously strives to improve as an educator. He consistently demonstrates empathy and self-reflection, which are critical skills when working collaboratively with students, families, and colleagues, especially when presented with challenges.
His nomination highlighted excellence in four key areas:
- Performance: Demonstrated exceptional professional growth and development through technical training and on-the-job learning.
- Journey: Overcame adversity and leveraged the Registered Apprenticeship Program to enter a profession that may not otherwise have been accessible.
- Partnership: Built meaningful relationships with mentors, instructors, and school partners to enhance his apprenticeship experience.
- Advocacy: Actively supports Registered Apprenticeship Programs by sharing information, encouraging others to pursue apprenticeship opportunities, and supporting fellow apprentices throughout their journeys.
Aaron’s passion for supporting students with special needs and his commitment to becoming an exceptional educator continue to make a meaningful impact on the students, families, and colleagues he serves every day.
Congratulations, Aaron, on this well-deserved national recognition. Talent Together is honored to support your journey and celebrate this incredible achievement.