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. 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. Final applications will be accepted through Sunday, August 11, 2024 or until funding has been expended. 2024-2025 substitutes are not eligible as the program is ending.

Learn more about the Colorado Substitute Stipend

Updates from the ERR Office

Professional Learning Opportunity for Paraprofessionals (Click here for more information)

CDE, Colorado Association for Bilingual Education, and Colorado's BUENO Center will host paraprofessionals to attend an information session focused on support available to help them become classroom teachers. They will also engage in professional learning on student engagement and classroom management.

In Person Sessions

Monday, August 5 8:00am to 11:00am - La Junta, CO at Otero Junior College

Monday, August 5 2:00pm to 5:00pm - Trinidad School District

Wednesday, August 14 2:00pm to 5:00pm - Arickaree School District

Thursday, August 22 4:00pm to 7:00pm - Adams 12 School District

Friday, September 6 9:00am to 12:00pm - Alamosa

Friday, September 20 9:00am to 12:00pm - South Routt School District

Monday, September 30 8:30am to 11:30am - Grand Junction

Virtual Sessions

Tuesday, August 20 3:00pm to 6:00pm

Tuesday, August 27 3:00pm to 6:00pm

Monday, September 16 3:00pm to 6:00pm

Educator Recruitment and Retention Program

The 2024-25 application is open until September 30.

If you are currently enrolled in an educator preparation program AND working as a paraprofessional, as a teacher on an alternative license or temporary educator eligibility (TEE) authorization, then you are encouraged to apply for the ERR program. This program offers up to $10,000 toward the cost of your educator preparation program in exchange for a 3-year commitment to teaching in a Colorado public school. Awards are provided on a first come first serve basis.

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 or qualified 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!