Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship (DELA)
A model of the TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program
About the DELA Model
The Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Program, a model of the TEACH 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 TEACH 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 TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship is for those looking to obtain their Colorado Director Qualifications or Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education with the goal of becoming a leader in the early care and education profession.
If interested, when you apply, click on the Director Qualification or Associate Degree 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.
The Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship is designed to support early childhood professionals interesting in earning a director credential or an associate degree in early childhood education. 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.
In addition to on-the-job training and individualized support, apprentices will benefit from tuition assistance.
DELA Matrix
TEACH | 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 |
Ideal Apprentice Candidates
- Currently work for an early learning program that is eligible for TEACH
- Are interested in becoming an assistant director or director of an early learning program
- Are currently enrolled in an Early Childhood Education associate or director credential program
- Are enthusiastically dedicated to building a fulfilling career in early childhood education
Applying for the Apprenticeship
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 TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program and select the Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship Model. Select TEACH 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 TEACH 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”.
Apprentice Application Documents
- Apply Online
- TEACH 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
Mentor Responsibilities
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.
Ideal Mentor Candidates
- Hold a bachelor’s degree (waiver available)
- Have three years experience in early learning setting, two of which are in leadership positions
- Have an Early Childhood Coach Credential or has completed a coaching course from an institution of higher education
How to Apply
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 TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program and select the Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship Model. Select TEACH 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 TEACH 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”.
Mentor Application Documents
- Apply Online
- TEACH Apprenticeship Mentor Application
- Proof of Early Childhood Coach Credential
- Proof of Bachelor’s Degree (Transcripts)
- Resumé/CV
Required Application Documents
Apprentice Application
- Apply Online
- TEACH 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
Solicitud de Aprendiz
Mentor Application
- Apply Online
- TEACH Apprenticeship Mentor Application
- Proof of Early Childhood Coach Credential
- Proof of Bachelor’s Degree (Transcripts)
- Resumé/CV
Instructions
- The apprentice and the mentor must both submit individual applications. Both will create an account at http://awards.ecclacolorado.org.
- The apprentice will apply for the TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship Program and select the Developing Emerging Leaders Apprenticeship Scholarship Model. Select TEACH 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.
- The mentor will select TEACH Apprenticeship Mentor Application from the dropdown menu and click create.
- Be sure to upload all of the required documents! Your application is complete when you click “SUBMIT AS FINAL”.
Still have questions? Pleas visit our FAQ or reach out to Dallas Brown at dallas@ecclacolorado.org. We’re here to help!
TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado is a licensed program of Early Years.