CMC recognized for new approach to teacher education

Nov. 25, 2024 - On Nov. 14, a statewide apprenticeship program, Apprenticeship Colorado, honored Colorado Mountain College's unique earn-while-you-learn teacher education program with a Partner award. The new program is the result of a recently passed bill in the state legislature.

Apprenticeship Colorado acknowledged CMC for the college’s registered teacher apprenticeship program, which differs from student teaching. Apprentice teachers must be registered with the state and are paid as full-time employees by their school districts — and overseen by mentor teachers — while they seek their college degree. Student teachers, in contrast, often participate via internships, which can be unpaid and may only last one year.

"This is an exciting pathway to help eliminate teacher shortages and barriers for those who may not be able to afford a college teaching degree,” said Elizabeth Qualman, Ed.D., CMC director of teacher education, of CMC’s apprenticeship program.

School leaders throughout rural Colorado’s mountain communities helped develop the program, as did CareerWise Colorado, an organization that promotes youth apprenticeships to help provide Colorado businesses with a local and skilled workforce. Colorado Mountain College is trailblazing efforts that the state would like to see in more districts and preparation programs.

With CMC’s apprenticeship program, students take one or two classes in the evenings during the week. Their on-the-job learning also counts toward their two-to-four-year teaching degree requirements.

Around 60 students enrolled this year (40 was the target). Officials hope the award helps meet a goal of 100 potential new teachers next year. Apprentices choose schools from nine school districts across the CMC district and elsewhere in Colorado. Other Colorado school districts are also interested in participating.

Sergio De La Rosa is a CMC registered apprentice teacher who taught at a Morgan County school in northeastern Colorado.

“The teacher apprenticeship pathway helps me grow, not just personally or in my career, but it prepares me to be an educator,” said De La Rosa. “Teaching is something I've always wanted to do and my passion for learning is now becoming a passion for teaching."

"Recent high-school grads, career-changers, parents or retirees with life and work experience are strong teaching candidates but may need a path to a teaching degree that keeps them in the workforce,” states the CareerWise Colorado’s website. “Teacher apprentices complete college-level coursework, meet required on-the-job hours and transition to the classroom full-time all – all while getting paid."