Meet the Registered Youth Apprenticeship Team

The Missouri Registered Youth Apprenticeship (RYA) initiative is supported by a team of dedicated consultants who work in partnership with schools, employers, and community organizations to build high-quality, work-based learning opportunities for students ages 16 to 24. Each consultant brings deep experience in education, workforce development, and employer engagement, helping to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world career pathways.

Together, the RYA team supports the expansion of Missouri’s youth apprenticeship programs by fostering regional collaboration, aligning instruction with labor market needs, and ensuring that students across the state graduate with skills, experiences, and credentials that prepare them for long-term success.

Linda Stinson | Career Pathways Manager, Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Linda Stinson serves as the Career Pathways Manager for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), where she leads statewide efforts to align education with workforce needs through initiatives such as Registered Youth Apprenticeship (RYA) and Certified Educator Externships.

Linda supports the development and coordination of Missouri’s RYA initiative by working closely with regional consultants, schools, and employers to expand high-quality apprenticeship opportunities for students ages 16–24. She helps ensure that apprenticeship programs are aligned with labor market needs, offer meaningful credentials, and connect directly to Missouri’s broader work-based learning and career pathway efforts.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts from College of the Ozarks, a Master’s in Education from Quincy University, and an Education Specialist in Learning Technologies and Design from the University of Missouri–Columbia. She is currently a Doctoral Candidate in P–20 and Community Leadership at Murray State University, where her research focuses on integrating registered youth apprenticeships and emerging technologies into career-connected learning systems.

Clara Liles | Northwest & Kansas City | Registered Youth Apprenticeship Consultant

Clara Liles joined the RYA team at the Kansas City Regional Professional Development Center in 2024. She brings experience in both business and mathematics education, having previously served in the St. Joseph School District. Clara works to expand apprenticeship opportunities for youth ages 16–24 by fostering strong partnerships with local employers.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing from Missouri Western State University and earned her teaching certificate and Master’s in Education from Avila University. Clara has held National Board Certification in Skilled and Technical Sciences since 2008 and is passionate about connecting workforce and education through relationship-building and program innovation.

Angela Fadness | Northeast & Central | Registered Youth Apprenticeship Consultant

Angela Fadness joined the DESE Registered Youth Apprenticeship team in July 2024, bringing over 20 years of experience in education. With a strong background in alternative education and special education, Angie is known for her commitment to supporting diverse learning needs and building practical career pathways for students.

For more than a decade, Angie coordinated onsite work-based learning programs at MBS Textbook Exchange and the Harry S. Truman Veterans’ Hospital. Her work created impactful transition experiences that helped students explore postsecondary options and gain foundational workforce skills. She now brings that same passion to expanding apprenticeship opportunities for youth across Missouri.

Nancy Pfeiffer | St. Louis & Surrounding Area | Registered Youth Apprenticeship Consultant

Nancy Pfeiffer supports member districts by connecting schools with local businesses, chambers of commerce, and the Department of Labor to expand youth apprenticeship opportunities and address Missouri’s workforce skills gap. She brings over 20 years of experience in education, including roles as a DECA Advisor, Internship Program Coordinator, and Department Chair.

With a background in sales and marketing in the glass container industry, Nancy combines industry knowledge with classroom experience to create meaningful career pathways for students. She is passionate about helping students gain early exposure to the workplace and envision their future while still in high school.

Betty Glasgow | Southwest | Registered Youth Apprenticeship Consultant

Betty Glasgow brings over 30 years of experience in Career and Technical Education, with a focus on Family and Consumer Sciences and culinary arts. Prior to joining the RYA team in 2023, she developed and led BoMO Works, a school-based registered youth apprenticeship and internship program in Bolivar, Missouri.

Betty has worked closely with employers, chambers of commerce, and economic development leaders to help students gain paid, on-the-job training in fields such as health care, automotive, education, and manufacturing. She is especially passionate about growing the teacher workforce through innovative “grow your own” apprenticeship models in early childhood and elementary education.

Dr. Jim Pritchett | South Central & Southeast | Registered Youth Apprenticeship Consultant

Dr. Jim Pritchett brings over 32 years of experience in education, including 18 years in educational administration. He is a respected leader in career and technical education (CTE), known for his commitment to student success and for creating meaningful, real-world learning environments.

Since joining the RYA team in 2023, Jim has worked to strengthen partnerships between schools and local industries to support high-quality apprenticeship programs. His focus on workforce readiness and regional collaboration helps ensure students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed beyond high school.