St. Vrain Valley Schools’ P-TEACH Program has received federal authorization as a PK-12 Teacher Apprenticeship Program, the district announced Thursday.
The authorization will give students the opportunity to receive paid employment while they earn college credits, said Diane Lauer, the school district’s assistant superintendent of priority programs and academic support.
“It is a recognition by the U.S. Department of Labor that we have a program that is intentionally designed to support someone’s journey into the profession,” Lauer explained.
“Being an apprenticeship means that we have the ability to take someone at the beginning, who’s interested in a career, provide them with college coursework and work experiences, and work with them through the entire process — so that they can be officially certified, licensed and ready to be working in that position,” she explained.
The P-TEACH Program is partnered with the University of Colorado Denver, so St. Vrain Valley Schools students can earn up to 31 college credits — the equivalent of their freshman and sophomore years — toward their bachelor’s degree in education. The district apprentices are paired with teachers and work in the classroom to gain experience.
P-TEACH students can also transfer to a local community college, Lauer explained.
“When a student is in a career and career education pathway, as a high school student, they can receive two years of free education to get their associate's degree,” she said. “Our high school students can take college classes with us; when they graduate, they can continue on for two years at Front Range Community College at no cost.”
As the nationwide teacher shortage continues, this program will make it easier for local students to become educators, Lauer said.
“We are the seventh-largest school district in the state of Colorado, we have over 32,000 students — we graduate over 2,000 high school students each year — it make sense for us to not just be a school district that hires teachers, but to be a school district that grows teachers,” Lauer said.
The district mentors are dedicated to helping the students become their future peers, said David Baker, professional development coordinator for the P-TEACH program.
“When people complete their apprenticeship with St. Vrain, not only do they have excellent instruction in those college courses — connection in the work they’re doing, but they also are a part of our organization, so there’s a sense of community and belonging,” Baker explained. “That rich, collaborative, professional conversation is making our entire system stronger.”
The program offers early childhood education, special education, and culturally and linguistically diverse education. The next steps for expansion are to welcome all types of future teachers, including STEM educators, Baker said.
The program leaders also intend to expand enrollment, he said.
“We went from our initial 17 students four years ago, to over 100 students that are participating this year,” Baker explained. “We know from career interest surveys, about 15 to 19% of our high school seniors are interested in an education or related career, so I would love to see us having up to 200 or more students involved in this program.”
