Three years ago, St. Vrain Valley Schools set out to inspire Colorado’s next generation of educators. Through a customized pathway program, students can pursue teaching careers in high school by getting a head start on their post-secondary education. The Pathways to Teaching (P-TEACH) program offers aspiring young teachers the opportunity to earn college credits through concurrent enrollment at the University of Colorado Denver while also gaining hands-on work experience.
This year, 29 seniors from six St. Vrain high schools are graduating from the P-TEACH program — all with earned college credits, plans to continue their education, and goals to become teachers.
“I am proud of these hardworking students who are graduating with the motivation and preparation to successfully continue their pursuit of teaching careers,” said Diane Lauer, Assistant Superintendent of Priority Programs and Academic Support. “By earning high marks in their college classes, they have demonstrated that high school students thrive when given challenging content connected to their passion areas.”
Collectively, graduating P-TEACH students earned 315 transferable college credits — an average of 11 per student — saving approximately $350,000 on their future education. Through rigorous core coursework, students were exposed to applicable topics including early childhood education, child development and guidance, special education, and culturally and linguistically diverse student needs. Beyond coursework, P-TEACH students benefit from meaningful fieldwork experiences as classroom interns, tutors, and instructional staff, while also participating in college visits, attending Future Teacher Conferences, and connecting with regional leaders in the field of education.
“These graduates made profound connections in St. Vrain classrooms working with mentor teachers and directly impacting student learning,” said Lauer.
P-TEACH was initially created with the help of two grants — a $125,000 grant through Early Milestones Colorado and a $125,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Higher Education. This spring, St. Vrain received an additional $190,000 Early Milestones Early Childhood Workforce Innovation Grant to expand the program to include a four-year bachelor’s degree pathway for both high school students and adult paraprofessionals at the University of Colorado Denver. The expanded program will include post-secondary work, formal apprenticeship opportunities, and a year of student-teaching.
“Through P-TEACH, we are giving high school students a competitive advantage as they enter the workforce, advance the mission of public education, and serve the students and families in the state of Colorado,” said Lauer. “We are excited to continue to grow the program and especially excited about the success of this year’s graduating class.”
Congratulations to the P-TEACH Class of 2020 —
- Baylie Anderson, Olde Columbine High School — Oklahoma Baptist University, Elementary Education
- Aneth Baez Rios, Olde Columbine High School — Front Range Community College/ University of Colorado Denver, Early Childhood Education
- Deejha Blash-Lopez, Longmont High School — University of Colorado Denver, Early Childhood Education
- Deborah Chou, Longmont High School — Baylor University, Elementary Education
- Ali Conser, Silver Creek High School — University of Colorado Boulder, Education
- Grace Cunningham, Erie High School — Front Range Community College/ University of Colorado Denver, Early Childhood Education
- Cody Davis, Silver Creek High School — University of Northern Colorado, Education
- Aleah DiZeraga, Skyline High School — University of Colorado Denver, Education
- Rebecca Freeman, APEX Homeschool Program — Brigham Young University–Idaho, Education
- Evelyn Garcia, Skyline High School — University of Colorado Denver, Early Childhood Education
- Hugh Glasser, Skyline High School — Colorado State University, Education
- AnneJeanette Gonzales, Skyline High School — Metropolitan State University, Special Education
- William (Moshe) Greer, Skyline High School — Israeli Military, Education & Social Work
- Tess Greenwald, Longmont High School — Emerson College, Theatre Education
- Claire Haines, Silver Creek High School — Mesa State/CU Denver, Education
- Morgan Himler, Erie High School — Front Range Community College/ University of Colorado Denver, Early Childhood Education
- Katherine Howlett, Frederick High School — University of Northern Colorado, Education
- Saul Maldonado, Longmont High School — Front Range Community College/ University of Colorado Denver, Education/Secondary
- Jesed Martinez, Longmont High School — Front Range Community College/ University of Colorado Denver, Early Childhood Education
- Anthony Mendoza, Longmont High School — Colorado State University, Education/Technology
- Kalyia Nevarez, Longmont High School — University of Colorado Denver, Early Childhood Education
- Lilia Orvis, Silver Creek High School — Sacramento State, Special Education & Public Policy
- Ashley Rojas Carbajal, Frederick High School — University of Colorado Denver, Education
- Marisol Sanchez, Longmont High School — University of Colorado Denver, Education
- Analise Schultz, Silver Creek High School — Idaho State University, Education
- Alejandra Sifuentes, Longmont High School — University of Northern Colorado, Early Childhood Education
- Caden Silva, Skyline High School — Metropolitan State University, Elementary Education
- Katherine Von der Nuell, Longmont High School — University of Colorado Boulder, Education
- Regina Zeas, Silver Creek High School — Sacramento State, Education