Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship Model
A model of the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program
The Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program, a model of the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program, is designed for early educators who are passionate about pursuing a leadership role in the early childhood profession and interested in earning a director credential.
Apprenticeships provide a unique opportunity to support skill development in the high demand profession of early childhood education. Utilizing the unique structure of an apprenticeship, a participant will be able to gain employment and attend institutions of higher education working toward industry-recognized credentials and degrees. Combining employment, on-the-job training, college coursework and individualized mentoring, an apprenticeship can be a chance to build a more stable early childhood workforce. The components of T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood scholarships for associate and bachelor’s degrees have always mirrored the components of an apprenticeship program. The National Center has developed a registered apprenticeship model that works in coordination with these existing scholarships to support the early childhood workforce across the country.
Apprentices will work one-on-one with a mentor, gaining valuable support to develop the necessary job skills for a leadership role in early childhood. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship is for those looking to obtain their Colorado Director Qualifications with the goal of becoming a leader in the early care and education profession. If interested, when you apply, click on the Director Qualification model to apply for the Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship Program. You will need Center Support for this model. The Apprenticeship Center Participation Agreement can be found on this page or in the application portal.
How Does It Work?
T.E.A.C.H. | Sponsor/Employer | Apprentice |
Pays 90% of tuition | Pays 5% of tuition | Pays 5% of tuition |
Pays 90% for books | x | Pays 10% for books |
Reimburses center up to 36 hours per semester of paid release time at $15.00/hour | Provide up to 36 hours of paid release time per semester | Enroll in at least 9 college credits within the scholarship contract period (3 semesters) |
Pays the sponsoring program a $2,500 stipend per recipient, per year | Gives the employee a minimum of a 3.5% raise at the completion of each 12-month apprenticeship term. Please note, the apprenticeship program is likely to take two years to complete. | Agree to work at the sponsoring program for 12 months after the completion of the scholarship contract |
Provide and oversee the mentor for each apprentice | Mentors apprenticeship with support from T.E.A.C.H. | Meet and communicate with assigned mentor; Demonstrate progress toward agreed upom goals |
Contact Us
Shannon Hall, Director of Direct Services
Ph: (720) 899-3047
Em: shannon@ecclacolorado.org
Cheryl Gould, Scholarship and Career Administrative Assistant
Em: cheryl@ecclacolorado.org
To fax your application send it to (720) 669-1544.
¿Necesita traducción? Comuníquese con Shannon Hall para programar una reunión.
هل تحتاج الى ترجمة؟ يرجى الاتصال بـ Shannon Hall لتحديد موعد اجتماع.
Other Apprenticeship Programs for Colorado-Based Early Childhood Professionals
Eligibility
Ideal apprentice candidates are…
- Currently working in an early learning program that is eligible for a T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship
- Interested in becoming an assistant director or director of an early learning program
- Currently enrolled in an Early Childhood Education director credential program
- Enthusiastically dedicated to building a fulfilling career in early childhood education
Ideal mentor candidates…
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (waiver available)
- Have three (3) years of experience in early learning settings, two of which are in leadership positions.
- Have an Early Childhood Coach Credential or have completed a coaching course from an institution of higher learning*.
Mentor Information
Apprentices will have two different types of mentors during their participation in the program. First, each apprentice will have a T.E.A.C.H. counselor. Their job is to help each apprentice manage the expectations of their scholarship, help them navigate the expectations of higher education, balance the demands of work, college, and family, and troubleshoot any personal crises that might occur that could derail their steady progress toward degree completion. All T.E.A.C.H. counselors have at least a bachelor’s degree and have worked in the early childhood education profession. Second, each apprentice will have a job site mentor that can model and support leadership practices. T.E.A.C.H will help the apprentice to identify a qualified mentor in their area. Mentors can serve in a variety of roles in the early childhood profession but must have education and experience in leadership. Mentors are expected to check in with their apprentice at least twice a month to:
- Discuss classroom challenges/questions that the
- Apprentice may have,
- Review best practice techniques, and,
- If observed, provide observation feedback.
Each mentor will observe their apprentice at least two times in a semester in person or virtually. Mentors will try to integrate what the apprentice is learning in their college courses with their application in their early childhood program. Each mentor will be provided a stipend each month for this work as well as mileage. Each mentor should visit their apprentice at least forty times within the contract year. The mentor will be responsible for entering visit data and monthly reports in the RQ Portal that include competency alignment and SMART Goal development and achievement.
- Mentor will receive a $200 stipend for each recorded visit with payment being disbursed monthly.
- Mentor will be reimbursed for mileage if any visits are in person.
- 1:1 Support from T.E.A.C.H. Staff at ECCLA
- Connection to various types of resources and support
- Opportunity to develop quality future leaders in early childhood education
How to Apply
The Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship requires support and participation from the sponsoring program (employer) and the applicant (employee). The apprentice and the mentor must both submit applications to participate in this scholarship model.
1. The apprentice and the mentor must both submit individual applications. Both will create an account at http://awards.ecclacolorado.org.
2. The apprentice will apply for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program and select the Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship Model. Select T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship from the dropdown menu and click create. You will have the option to select the scholarship model you are applying for.
3. The mentor will select T.E.A.C.H. Apprenticeship Mentor Application from the dropdown menu and click create.
4. Be sure to upload all of the required documents! Your application is complete when you click “SUBMIT AS FINAL”.
APPLY BY FAX OR EMAIL
1. The apprentice and the mentor must both submit individual applications. Both will create an account at http://awards.ecclacolorado.org.
2. The apprentice will fill out the packet for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship Model. Be sure to fill out the application for the Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship Model and return the Center Participation Agreement specific to that model. Both forms are located to the right of this text.
3. The mentor will fill out the packet for the T.E.A.C.H. Apprenticeship Mentor Application.
4. Please fax your application to (720) 588-2842 or email your application to Dallas Brown at dallas@ecclacolorado.org. T.E.A.C.H. staff work remotely and are unable to accept mail-in applications at this time.
Required Application Documents
Apprentice Application
- Apply Online
- T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship: Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship Application
- Center Participation Agreement: Apprenticeship Scholarship Model
- Center Profile Form
- Proof of Income – Paystub
- College Acceptance Letter or Student ID
- Proof of PDIS Registration
*A Spanish version will be available soon.
Mentor Application
- Apply Online
- T.E.A.C.H. Apprenticeship Mentor Application
- Proof of Early Childhood Coach Credential
- Proof of Bachelor’s Degree (Transcripts)
- Resumé/CV
This project is supported by the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood ® National Center a Division of Child Care Service Association.
About the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program
Early childhood professionals who have higher education have been shown to have a better understanding of child development and to be more responsive to the educational and academic needs of young children. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program offers early childhood professionals a pathway to pursue higher education. Access to scholarships for early childhood education is a critical piece to a successful professional development pathway. We are affiliated with the national Teacher Education and Compensation Helps Early Childhood® initiative of the Child Care Services Association, and we hold the state license to offer scholarships in Colorado.
The Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) is an equal opportunity scholarship provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, military status, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in any of its activities or operations. Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students are welcome to apply!
