Technology & Innovation in Education (TIE) is the lead agency for an alternative certification program partnership that draws upon the expertise and resources of educational organizations throughout western South Dakota, including Black Hills State University, Teach for America*South Dakota, Rapid City Area Schools, and South Dakota Department of Education. This Transition to Teaching project will build on and expand existing models for teacher recruitment, preparation, and support in this rural and diverse region. The program will target mid-career professionals, highly qualified paraprofessionals, and recent college graduates. In each of the first two years of the project, 30 candidates will be hired to fill serious shortages for elementary, secondary, and special education teachers in western South Dakota. In the final three years, 40 candidates will be hired each year, for a total of 180 teachers. These teacher candidates will receive intensive, field-based preparation that will result in teacher certification in three years. The project will provide induction support to teacher candidates through onsite mentoring and coaching as well as extended opportunities for professional development, resulting in teacher retention in these high-need schools. Selection and hiring procedures in partner schools will be reviewed to remove barriers to recruitment and hiring of qualified candidates.