What Apprenticeships Offer
Get Paid
Earn a paycheck while you learn. Get paid more as your skills grow.
Mentorship
Step-by-step support from experienced teachers.
Hands-On
Get experience in real classrooms.
How Apprenticeship Programs Work
- 1
Start where you are
No matter where you are in your education journey, there’s a path for you:
- Have an associate degree? Awesome! You can jump right in.
- Just getting started? No worries—you don’t need any college experience to begin.
- Already have a bachelor’s degree? You may qualify for alternative licensure—in Colorado, apprenticeships are only for those working toward a bachelor’s.
- Passionate about teaching young children? Explore our early childhood education apprenticeship page to learn more.
- 2
Find a teacher apprenticeship
In Colorado, you can find registered teacher apprenticeships through your school district. In most apprenticeships, you’ll work in a school, most likely the one you already work in, and take college classes outside of school hours.
- 3
Get started in a program
You may already be working in a school as a paraprofessional (also called a paraeducator, teacher’s aide or teaching assistant).
When you get started, you’ll be hired by the school district as a teacher or long-term substitute with a special apprenticeship credential. Your apprenticeship program will help connect you to a partner college so you can start the classes you need for your teaching license.
- 4
Earn while you learn
As an apprentice, you’ll get paid from day one. In some programs, your pay increases as your skills grow! You’ll also benefit from:
- Hands-on learning in real classrooms.
- Mentorship from experienced teachers.
- Relationships with other staff and students—this can help when you’re ready to apply for full-time teaching jobs!
- A clear path to earning your Colorado teaching license.
- 5
Work toward your bachelor’s degree
Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll take college classes outside of your school hours to earn your degree.
- 6
Get your Colorado teaching license
When you finish your apprenticeship, you’ll be ready to:
- Complete your bachelor’s degree.
- Apply for your Colorado teaching license.
- Start a full-time teaching role, often in the school or district where you trained.
Where to Apply to Teacher Apprenticeship Programs
K-12 Teacher apprenticeships are a new pathway in Colorado and are employer-driven, meaning school districts lead the hiring and selection of candidates. At this time, many programs prioritize current employees, like paraprofessionals and support staff, so public application information may be limited.
If you're interested, we encourage you to connect directly with local school districts to explore employment opportunities as a first step. Meeting with a TEACH Colorado coach is a great way to start this pathway!
This is a new pathway in Colorado made specifically for future K-12 teachers! Colorado already has apprenticeship programs for Early Childhood Education, which you can learn more about below.
Schools Supporting CO Teacher Apprenticeships
Explore MoreBayfield School District
Explore MoreCherry Creek School District
Explore MoreGarfield County School District 16
Explore MoreGarfield Re-2 School District
Explore MoreHarrison School District 2
Explore MoreMorgan County School District Re-3
Explore MorePueblo City Schools District 60
Explore MoreTwo Rivers Community School
Not Sure Where to Start? Speak with a Coach!
If you’re interested in an apprenticeship program as your pathway to teaching, reach out to a TEACH Colorado Coach. Our coaches are experienced Colorado educators who can:
- Answer your questions about apprenticeship programs
- Help you determine the best pathway for you
- Connect you with the right people to get started
- And any other questions you may have!
Start a free coaching session and talk to a coach 1-on-1, so you can take the next step in your journey with confidence.
Common Questions about Teacher Apprenticeships
Want to Learn More? Discover Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Programs
If an apprenticeship program sounds like the pathway for you, there are even more opportunities available to get started!
If you want to teach Colorado's littlest learners, check out apprenticeships for students from birth through grade 3 in Early Childhood Education. You’ll work on your license while you teach, and you can also earn an associate degree or a Child Development Associate Credential based on your experience and pathway.
