Future Educator Pathway
Location
2026-27 Classes at Pathways at Overland,
Apprenticeship at a CCSD school
The Future Educator Pathway is the district’s largest apprenticeship program for students interested in becoming teachers or pursuing a related education career. This pathway gives students meaningful classroom experience, college coursework, and paid employment that can extend beyond graduation.
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A multi-year opportunity: Students can participate for up to three years, with the option to continue for one or two years after high school graduation.
- Paid, on-the-job training: Participants are hired as paid district employees and work as para-educators (teacher aides) in elementary or middle schools during part of their school day, gaining hands-on experience supporting teachers and students.
- Relevant college coursework at no cost: Apprentices take up to 20 credits of education-focused college classes during the first two years of the program. Tuition is fully covered, and all courses apply toward a teacher education degree.
Skills Developed
Students build essential skills in classroom instruction, student support, and educational best practices. They learn to assist with lesson delivery, classroom management, and accommodations for diverse learners, while developing strong communication and collaboration skills with teachers and students. Professional habits such as reliability, confidentiality, and ethical practice are reinforced, along with familiarity using instructional technology and supporting student learning.
Careers
Classroom Teacher (K-12)
Average Salary $60K - $70K
Para Educator
Average Salary $40K - $50K
Requirements:
- Current sophomore or junior (apply in January to start the following school year)
- On track to graduate
- Want to become a teacher or a related career
- Ability to succeed in a hybrid course environment
Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.
Concurrent / Dual Enrollment
Future Educator Pathway Courses and Details:
Future Educator - Year 1
Students select "Future Educator - Year 1" in the CTE/CCIC Application and will be automatically enrolled in an apprenticeship and Concurrent Enrollment courses.
Future Educator - Year 2
Students who have successfully completed Future Educator - Year 1 courses select "Future Educator - Year 2" in the CTE/CCIC Application and will be automatically enrolled in an apprenticeship and Concurrent Enrollment courses.
Related Higher Education in Colorado
There are a variety of colleges and universities in Colorado that offer both traditional and non-traditional degrees in a variety of education fields. Visit the Colorado Department of Education's Educator Preparation Program Search.
Colorado is experiencing a significant, ongoing demand for teachers, with many districts facing shortages, indicating strong job growth driven by population increases, retirements, and specific subject needs (STEM, Special Education, English Learner-EL).
Projections suggest continued need, with thousands of annual openings, especially in elementary and special education, making it a promising field for educators in the state.
Pathway Staff
Amy Jaster
Kara Billings
How to Apply
Applications open early January through mid February for the upcoming school year.
- Login to the CTE/CCIC Application using your CCSD student account.
- Select "Future Educator Pathway - Year 1" and fill out the required questions.
- The CTE team will reach out via email to schedule an interview to talk about the program and ensure you are a good fit for the program. Check your CCSD student email often for updates on the program. This is our main method of communication with interested students.