For Michael Norsworthy, the path to the classroom wasn’t something he planned—it was something that unfolded.
“I don’t think I really chose this path,” he says. “It kind of just happened for me. I walk in faith, and I think God aligned it.”
A native of Las Vegas and a proud product of the Clark County School District, Michael has spent more than two decades serving the district in a variety of roles. He began working at just 18 years old as a support staffer, later moving into human resources and recruitment. For five years, he traveled across the country recruiting future educators to CCSD and proudly “selling” his home district.
“I’m a product of this district,” he says. “It was really easy to tell people about where I come from—my home state, my community, my school system. There’s no place like Vegas.”
Ironically, it was through that recruitment work that Michael discovered the Nevada Forward™ Undergraduate Apprenticeship Program (UAP). After learning about the program, and recruiting other students to join, he applied.
Earning While Learning
While completing the accelerated, fully funded apprenticeship program, Michael continued working full-time in recruitment—traveling to colleges, hosting hiring fairs, and balancing coursework, family life, and professional responsibilities. Without this path, Michael says becoming a teacher wouldn’t have been in the cards.
In Nevada, the average cost of a four-year undergraduate degree can exceed $40-60,000 when factoring in tuition, fees, and supplies over several years. For many working professionals, that price tag alone is a barrier to entry. But thanks to the Nevada Forward™ funding model, Michael was able to pursue his degree with zero out-of-pocket costs. By braiding federal aid with state support, the program ensures that students like Michael graduate debt-free.
Time was also on his side. While a traditional undergraduate path often takes four to six years for a working adult to complete, the Nevada Forward™ model is designed for speed and efficiency. Michael was able to take courses in four-to-eight-week intervals, moving at a significantly faster pace than a standard 16-week university schedule. This allowed him to transition from recruiter to licensed educator in a fraction of the time.
He describes the experience as intense, condensed, and demanding—but transformative. “It was a whole lot of learning, not always knowing where the pieces went. But today, I can see the full picture. It was all worth it.”
Coming Full Circle
Today, Michael is a third-grade teacher at Dr. Charles I. West Preparatory Academy—a school located in the heart of historic West Las Vegas, the very community where he grew up and began his career.
“It’s full circle,” he says. “My school is in my community. My community knows me. I get to give back to the place that raised me.”
Initiative and Support
Michael emphasizes the importance of initiative—bulding relationships, seeking mentors, and asking questions. But he wasn’t on this path alone. He credits school administrators,learning strategists, and Nevada Forward™advisors who checked in regularly with reminders to rest, eat, and take care of himself.
“Sometimes it’s just that email that says, ‘Hey, I’m checking on you,’” he says. “Those things matter when you’re overwhelmed.”
Advice for Future Apprentices
For anyone considering applying to the Nevada Forward™ program, Michael’s advice is simple and powerful:
“Don’t give up. If it’s really your desire—and even if you’re not sure—take the chance. Step into it. The support is there, even when it feels overwhelming.”
Today, Michael isn’t just a teacher, he’s a living example of what workforce pathways, community investment, and second chances can create. From support staff to recruiter. From apprentice to educator. From community member to community leader.
And this, he says, is only the beginning.