High School Dual Enrollment Programs

The P-TEACH dual enrollment program introduces St. Vrain high school students to careers in education. Participants earn high school and college credits through CU Denver. A paid externship with the SVVSD Community Schools program is also available.

The Details

St. Vrain School District and University of Colorado Denver have partnered to bring P-TEACH to high school students. 

The P-TEACH program offers seven education courses in a number of different areas including:

• Early Childhood Education
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education
• Special Education
• Math and Science Education
• Early Field Experience
• Child Development

Students take these education courses during their junior and senior years in high school while they also gain experiences working with young children.  P-TEACH also partners with Front Range Community College to allow students to take three general education courses.

In P-TEACH, students can complete up to 30 credits or a full year of college courses that transfer into the early childhood, elementary or special education pathways at CU Denver.

P-TEACH graduates can also pursue the NxtGEN @ St. Vrain program which places them in paid paraeducator internships. Please visit the NxtGEN webpage for more information. 

Visit the SVVSD P-TEACH Website

Contact P-TEACH director Wendy Howenstein for more information.

The Future Educator’s Pathway dual enrollment program introduces Cherry Creek School District’s high school students to careers in education. Participants earn high school and college credits through CU Denver. The experience culminates in a paid apprenticeship within Cherry Creek School District.

The Details

Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) and University of Colorado Denver have partnered to offer the Future Educator’s Pathway.

The Future Educator Pathway includes dual enrollment course work and culminates in an established apprenticeship within CCSD.

As apprentices, students earn valuable experience and work as paraprofessionals in K-8 placements within CCSD. Students can earn college credits, wages, paraprofessional certification, classroom hours and access to a professional network.

Courses are available to all students, not just those interested in an apprenticeship. Students take up to eight education courses during junior and senior years in high school. In this program, students can complete up to 24 credits that transfer into the early childhood, elementary or special education pathways at CU Denver.

Future Educator graduates can also pursue the NxtGEN program at CU Denver which places them in paid paraeducator internships. Please visit the NxtGEN webpage for more information.

For more information

Please contact Ashlin Montgomery at 720-886-2626

Visit the school district’s website: CareerWise Colorado

Strives to create a new generation of community-responsive educators as it begins the journey for high school juniors and seniors to become teachers. Students earn transferable college credits toward a teaching degree. The program helps meet the demand for teachers in urban and rural communities and address a lack of diversity in the teacher workforce.

The Details

The University of Colorado Denver's Pathways2Teaching paraprofessional certificate program will begin your journey as an educator. This certificate program provides high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn transferable college credits toward a teacher education degree. The curriculum of the certificate provides students with a foundational understanding of social justice and equity issues in education.

In this program, students will:

• Critically examine historical and contemporary issues in education
• Become knowledgeable in socially just education, special education and logistically diverse education
• Be introduced to scholars and mentors of color in each field of study
• Gain field experience in local elementary schools
• Cultivate readiness and research skills needed for college and the workforce

Upon completing this two-year program, students will be given preferential hire as paraprofessionals in their school district. For students who need to work while in college, this provides an opportunity to stay engaged and motivated while completing their degree. Once students receive their teaching license, they will have the potential to be hired by their home school district. Many graduates are now enrolled in teacher education programs across the country or in related fields such as social work.

For more information

Please contact your high school counselor or Margarita Bianco at  margarita.bianco@ucdenver.edu

Visit the Pathways2Teaching Page