Grow Your Own Educator Initiatives

The Mancos High School Teacher Cadet program is a “Grow Your Own” career and technical education (CTE) pathway designed to prepare high school juniors and seniors for careers in education. The program offers curriculum, classroom observation and hands-on teaching internships that result in college credit to support obtaining a future credential. It is offered as an afternoon Explore Pathway allowing students to take core classes in the morning and engage in career-focused coursework, internships and work-study during the latter half of the day.

McKinley Elementary in the Canon City School District embeds a Grow Your Own pipeline directly inside instructional teams, giving adults structured roles, coaching and advancement pathways that lead to licensure and long-term retention.

St. Vrain School District’s P-TEACH Program participants gain exposure to a career in education through enrichment activities (e.g., field trips), concurrent enrollment, collegiate apprenticeships with part-time work, and supports for staff to attain their bachelor’s degree and credential.

The Calhan School District launched a Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program (TDA) in 2022. It allows paraprofessionals and substitute teachers to earn their bachelor’s degree and teaching license while remaining employed with fully pay and district-funded tuition. Apprentices take coursework through the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and takes two to four years to complete.

Douglas County School District’s Alternative Licensure Program’s participants are hired into a certified teaching position within the district, while receiving two years of support including mentorship, coaching, induction support, summer programming, and monthly training to obtain licensure. 

Harrison’s teacher degree apprenticeship program allows current paraprofessionals to earn a bachelor’s degree through Colorado Mountain College while working full‑time in D2, completing structured, paid on‑the‑job learning with mentor teachers. Apprentices have up to four years to finish the program, and successful completion leads to a Colorado teaching license and transition into a classroom teacher role.