Educator Recruitment and Retention

female with caption Colorado Students Need You. Teach today. Change tomorrow.

Welcome to the Educator Recruitment and Retention (ERR) Office at the Colorado Department of Education.

Click Here to Contact Your Regionally-Based Educator Recruitment and Retention Team

Thoughtful connection of people to resources
Purposeful articulation of pathways to licensure
Creative problem solving in the moment and system planning for the future
Meaningful relationships that value the unique circumstance of all stakeholders

Substitute Teaching

Current Educators

Future Educators

Districts/BOCES/Charter Schools

Educator Recruitment and Retention Office Hours

The Educator Recruitment and Retention Office is here to support any district or school staff member in obtaining a teacher license or deciphering the appropriate educational pathway towards a teaching credential.

A Licensing Specialist from CDE will be available at every meeting to answer questions surrounding teacher licensure.

Office Hours are from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on the Second Wednesday and from 11:00am to 1:00pm on the Fourth Thursday of each month. ERR and Licensing are available for people to "pop-in" and "out" seeking support and assistance.

Financial Assistance Opportunities for Aspiring and Current Educators

Are you a paraprofessional interested in becoming a licensed educator? Are you seeking to become a licensed educator using the alternative license pathway? You may be eligible for a one-time financial award of up to $10,000 to pay for your educator preparation costs in exchange for a 3-year commitment to teaching in a Colorado public school through our Educator Recruitment and Retention Program.

Learn more about the ERR Program

If the ERRP does not work for you, then check out the other programs available to assist aspiring educators obtain their credential. There are programs for high school students looking to become licensed educators and obtain their bachelors degree, student educators completing their teacher residency, current rural educators working on additional endorsements, and many more. Find a program that works for you!

Funding Opportunities for Aspiring and Current K-12 Educators

Funding Opportunities for Early Childhood Educators

Substitute teaching is a great way to explore teaching. Now through September 2024, funding permitting, new first-time (since March 2020) substitute teachers may be eligible for a $300 stipend when they obtain their substitute authorization, complete an online course (substitute boot camp), and work at least one full day as a substitute teacher in a Colorado public school.

Learn more about the Colorado Substitute Stipend

Updates from the ERR Office

Substitute Stipend Now Accepting Applications

Applications are now being accepted for those who meet eligibility requirements for the Colorado Substitute Stipend. Stipends are awarded on a first come first served basis as funding allows. The program is scheduled to end September 2024. So, apply now!

Educator Recruitment and Retention Program

The application window is currently closed because funding for the 2023-2024 school year has been awarded. If you are interested in applying when the next window opens, please fill out this FORM to ensure you receive important announcements.

How to Become a Teacher: TEACH Colorado Group Advising Sessions

Considering a career in teaching? Leading a classroom is a big way to make a difference and TEACH Colorado can help you get there.

Join a TEACH Colorado Group Advising session to learn:

Steps to get licensed to teach in a PreK-12 classroom
Steps to get certified in early childhood education
Choosing and applying to a pathway and program
How to get ongoing career and financial support

Participants will also have a chance to hear from a career coach and a current CO teacher, who has been in their shoes. There will also be a live Q&A session.

How to Become a K-12 Teacher: Licensure 101

Become an Early Childhood Teacher 101 (Birth-Age 8)

Our partner, TEACH Colorado, offers free advising calls with licensure coaches to help answer your questions about choosing a program and to share insight into life in the classroom. Schedule a 1-on-1 session with a TEACH Colorado coach today!

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Educator Recruitment and Retention

Welcome to the Educator Recruitment and Retention (ERR) Office at the Colorado Department of Education.

Financial Assistance Opportunities for Aspiring and Current Educators

Updates from the ERR Office