In this episode of Evidence in the Wild, I sit down with Dr. David DeJong, Dean of the College of Education at Dakota State University and one of the key architects of South Dakota’s teacher apprenticeship program. We talk about how the SD TAP model came to life, why it matters, and what it's teaching us about expanding the teacher pipeline.

David shares early insights from the program, including what’s working, how mentors support apprentices in the field, and how South Dakota is thinking about sustainability and long-term impact. If you're interested in grow-your-own pathways, this conversation is a great place to start.

In this first episode of Evidence in the Wild, host Josh Stewart shares why this podcast exists, and why now is the time for a more honest, human conversation about data and research in education. Josh reflects on his background as a researcher, someone who grew up with dyslexia, and a former college professor who has spent the last decade working on federal and philanthropic education projects.

This episode sets the stage for what’s to come: candid conversations with educators, administrators, and researchers who are using evidence in creative, imperfect, and deeply committed ways to improve real-world practice. It’s about elevating what works, questioning what doesn’t, and democratizing how we use data to shape the future of education