Our vision is to recruit, support and retain talented diverse educators from our community. We believe that educators thrive when they are supported as they are learning the craft of teaching.
The Pilot Early Childhood & Special Education Apprenticeship Program officially began in Fall 2021 as a formal partnership between the ÃÈ·µ¼º½ 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 Paraprofessional working in Pre-K and Kindergarten 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.
Earn and Learn at ÃÈ·µ¼º½ & 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 17.5 - 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:
- Assistant Teacher Permit
- Associate Teacher Permit
- ECE Associate Teacher Certificate of Accomplishment
- Certificate of Achievement: Special Education Early Intervention
- Teacher Permit
Track 2 Only:
- AS-T Degree in Early Childhood Education
- Priority enrollment in the SFUSD Para-to-Teacher Program
During the last year of Track 2, apprentices will connect with transfer resources and dual degree credential-BA programs if they would like to continue on the pathway to TK-12 or Special Education credentialed teaching.
The charts below lay out the program by semester, summarizing work hours and ÃÈ·µ¼º½ credit courses. Courses may be completed before the apprenticeship begins.
Semester 1: 325 Work Hours, 7 Units; Assistant Teacher Permit (Six Units of Child Development Required to Apply)
Semester 2: 325 Work Hours, 7 Units; Associate Teacher Permit, ECE Associate Teacher Certificate of Accomplishment.
Semester 3: 350 Work Hours, 5-8 Units, Certificate of Achievement in Special Education, Early Intervention
Semester 4: 350 Work Hours, 6 Units; Teacher Permit
Semester 5: 325 Work Hours, 7 Units; at 60 Units: Priority for Para-to-Teacher Program at SFUSD *Optional Track: Site Supervisor: +3 units
Semester 6: 325 Work Hours, 3 Units; AS-T Degree in Early Childhood Education *Optional Site Supervisor Permit +5 units
*Priority to Apply to Track 2 if desired.
*2,000 work hours total
*Units are estimated and may change slightly
*Equivalent college units may be applied to fulfill GE requirements
Semester 1: 325 Work Hours, 11-13 Units; Assistant Teacher Permit (Six Units of Child Development Required to Apply)
Semester 2: 325 Work Hours, 10-14 Units; Associate Teacher Permit, ECE Associate Teacher Certificate of Accomplishment.
Semester 3: 350 Work Hours, 11 Units, Certificate of Achievement in Special Education, Early Intervention
Semester 4: 350 Work Hours, 12 Units; Teacher Permit
Semester 5: 325 Work Hours, 10 Units; at 60 Units: Priority for Para-to-Teacher Program at SFUSD *Optional Track: Site Supervisor: +3 units
Semester 6: 325 Work Hours, 10 Units; AS-T Degree in Early Childhood Education *Optional Site Supervisor Permit +5 units
*2,000 work hours total
*Units are estimated and may change slightly
*Equivalent college units may be applied to fulfill GE requirements
About the Apprenticeship Program
Length
34 month paid program for 2,000 total hours on-the job training (OJT) and Track 1: 5-7 units/semester Track 2: 10-14 college units per semester.
Where are Courses Offered:
Courses are available at ÃÈ·µ¼º½ (available online and evenings, depending on the course).
Required Pre-Apprenticeship Courses
Students must complete six Child Development Units to qualify for the program. They can be any units, but these are the recommended courses:
- CDEV 53: Child and Adolescent Growth and Development
- CDEV 67: Child, Family, Community
Requirements for Employment:
- Physical (able to perform job)
- Vaccinations (including Covid vaccinations)
- Fingerprint Clearance
- Additional paperwork, such as HS diploma, Covid Acknowledgment Form.