Our vision is to recruit, support and retain talented, diverse, purpose-driven educators from our community. We believe that educators thrive when they are supported as they are learning the craft of teaching.

The  Early Childhood & Special Education Apprenticeship Program officially began in Fall 2021 as a formal partnership between the CCSF Child Development and Family Studies Department and San Francisco Unified School District, thanks to funding from the Strong Workforce Program (SWP). Apprentices begin as an Early Childhood Teaching Assistant, a Transitional Kindergarten Teaching Assistant or a Special Education Paraeducator working in Pre-K, Kindergarten or Elementary School classrooms.

Our programs are designed to infuse Special Education training for all teachers since all teachers work with children with special needs and need this knowledge and skill set. Apprentices can apply to work 1-1 with a child with Special Needs or apply to be a teaching assistant in a TK or Early Childhood classroom. The apprenticeship lasts up to 34 months and has two tracks. Both lead to an Early Childhood Teaching Permit, with an option to earn a Site Supervisor permit, and Track 2 leads to an AS-T Degree in Early Childhood Education, becoming a pathway to teaching TK-12 or Special Education. 

Applications are being accepted to begin with the Fall 2027 cohort. In order to become part of the program, apprentices need to have secured a position and be ready to start working with SFUSD in an Early Childhood or Elementary Para Educator position (substitute positions work too) by August 2027. Apply Here

SF Educators Rising Program: 

  • Purpose-driven community geared towards support and retention
  • Cohorted Courses at CCSF
  • Free tuition at CCSF (must apply for FAFSA and Free City if applicable)
  • Additional faculty support in initial coursework 
  • On-the-Job Mentoring at SFUSD
  • Monthly Professional Learning Community meetings
  • Ongoing navigational support at CCSF
  • Connections with tutoring and other services at CCSF
  • Academic counselor for Ed Plan and transfer planning
  • Employment Specialist support

About the Apprenticeship Program

Length

34 month  program for 2,000 total hours on-the job training (OJT) as a para educator with SFUSD in an Early Childhood or Elementary Setting

SFUSD Positions and Wages:

All apprentices must secure employment with SFUSD before officially enrolling in the program. Wages begin at $31.52/hour. Apprentices may begin as substitute paras or in regular para positions in Early Childhood (A01, C10) or Elementary (various). They may also begin as substitutes or regular paras in Special Education in ECE or Elementary (S10 positions).

Where are Courses Offered:

Courses are available at CCSF (available online and/or evenings/weekends, depending on the course).

Requirements for Employment:

  1. Physical (able to perform job)
  2. Vaccinations (including )
  3. Fingerprint Clearance
  4. Additional paperwork, such as HS diploma
  5. High School Diploma
  6. 6 Early Childhood units for para positions in ECE (Early Childhood Education) settings

Earn and Learn at CCSF & SFUSD:

  • Commit for up to 34 months
  • *Hours and education can be completed in a shorter timeframe
  • Apprenticeship Program pays all fees and provides counseling, advising and referral supports
  • Earn Certificates and Permits: Track 1: 7 or so units/semester, and goal Teacher Permit; Track 2: Take 10-13 units per semester to earn your AS-T degree
  • Work 25 - 40 hours a week as an Early Childhood Para in SFUSD (either an ECE Assistant or a Special Education Para with TK/K or a TK Assistant)

Apprentices earn the following certificates, permits and an AS-T degree by program completion:

Tracks 1 & 2:

  • Associate Teacher Permit
  • ECE Associate Teacher Certificate of Accomplishment
  • Certificate of Achievement: Inclusive Education
  • Teacher Permit

Students enroll in 7-8 college units at CCSF per semester and work approximately 700 hours per year

*2,000 work hours total

*Units are estimated and may change slightly

*Equivalent college units may be applied to fulfill GE requirements

Track 2 Only:

  • AS-T Degree in Early Childhood Education
  • Priority enrollment in the SFUSD Aspiring Teachers Program for those transferring to a BA or BA/Teaching Credential Program