Apprentice requirements

---

An apprentice must be at least 18 years of age and must be employed to learn the apprenticeable occupation. Additional qualification requirements include:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED)
• Applicants will be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the occupation with or without reasonable accommodation that will not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of the individual or others.
• Colorado Department of Education Substitute Educator License (Pass background check completed through substitute licensing fingerprinting requirements)
• Completion of 2 contractual years working as a paraprofessional -OR- 2,700 hours of experience working with students ages 5-18 in a general education setting. Documentation of the experience required. If you do not meet these hours, we recommend that you apply to a school district to become a paraprofessional or a substitute teacher in order to earn the necessary hours.

Elementary K-5 Applicants Course List

• Introduction to Inclusive Education
• Introduction to Educational Psychology 
• Schools, Society, & Diversity
• Early School Diversity Practicum
• Literacy Development, Instructions, and Interventions
• Designing Transitions & Inclusive Futures
• Math & Numeracy
• Field Placement II including occupation safety training

Secondary 6-12 Applicants Course List

• Introduction to Inclusive Education
• Introduction to Educational Psychology 
• Schools, Society, & Diversity
• Early School Diversity Practicum
• Praxis Prep: Courses/Training in your specific content area

Competencies

• All apprentice teachers are held to the same rigorous expectations set by their district and measured using their district's chosen evaluative practices.
• Apprentice teachers are measured on competency requirements that are aligned in part with the Colorado Department of Education Professional Practices Rubric.
• Completion of the program requires that the apprentice teacher meets proficiency expectations of the competencies.

Coaching

• Apprentice teachers are supported by their sponsor coach. The sponsor coach regularly observes apprentice teachers and provides feedback to the apprentice.
• Within their school, apprentice teachers are supported by their assigned mentor teacher (journey worker), and/or their district instructional coach/leader.

Coursework

• Courses run every 8 weeks during the school year. 
• Courses are taught by instructors who are also apprentice coaches, giving the apprentice another layer of support through the connection of coursework and classroom practice.
• K-5 apprentice teachers are required to complete 8 college of education courses (24 credit hours).
• Secondary (6-12) apprentice teachers are required to complete 4 college of education courses (12 credit hours) and either 4 content-specific courses or an equivalent thereof in the content they teach.
• All apprentice teachers are held to the expectation of passing the PRAXIS exam/s for their grade level/content area prior to completing their apprenticeship.

CDE Licensing

• Apprentice teachers are highly encouraged and incentivized through pay raises to continue on their educational journey to earn their bachelor's degree and licensing credentials.
• Successful completion of the apprentice program DOES NOT grant an apprentice teacher enough credit hours to meet CDE requirements for licensing.