GSN + University of Northern Colorado’s Virtual Grow Your Own Teacher Pathway
tHE CHALLENGE
In the 2022-2023 school year, 722 teaching positions in Colorado remained unfilled for the entire year.
The data shows that the most effective way to recruit and retain teachers is to “Grow Your Own.” That’s why Generation Schools Network (GSN) has partnered with the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) to provide no-cost dual enrollment teacher education courses for high school students throughout Colorado.
CDE data report: https://www.cde.state.co.us/educatortalent/2022-23educatorshortagereport
COURSE sEQUENCE
“I am interested in becoming a teacher because I enjoy helping people learn and I want to make a difference in the future's children. I have really enjoyed this class! I love the work that we do and I love how hard we all work. This will help me as I begin my teaching education because I have already learned a lot about teaching, and this helps give me a start in my education.”
- 11th grader at Aguilar Jr/Sr High School
ENROLL IN a COURSE
Spring 2024 Course: EDSE 201: Culture of Special Education
About this Course:
This course runs from January 8 - May 3, 2024. The class will be held VIRTUALLY on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 AM.
This course is an introduction to special education. Students will learn:
historical and legal perspectives
characteristics of individuals with exceptionalities
issues related to identification and services
the role of professionals in special and general education
This course does not have a prerequisite. You may take this course even if you didn’t attend the first course.
Enrollment Deadline: December 4th, 2023
“Thanks to the University of Northern Colorado and Generation Schools Network, I've had the incredible opportunities to take Foundations Of Education & Special Education classes as a Junior at a rural high school in Colorado. These classes have helped me build my confidence to partner with my school district's elementary school to aid classes as a part of my school day and still get credits towards graduation. On top of all this, I had the experience of a lifetime at The Future Teachers Conference coordinated through UNC, some of the best professionals in education were very honest about what makes a good teacher and how to make a real and lasting difference. They even recognized the need for good teachers in rural communities and helped us brainstorm and network on ways to better rural education in a Future Rural Teachers Summit that was dedicated to those directly impacted in rural communities. This has been by far a rewarding experience whether a person is sure about education or doesn't know exactly what they want to do. One thing I can certainly say with confidence is that I will use the information I learned no matter what I do, it is very valuable in real world connections.”
- James Jolly, Pagosa Springs High School
QUICK COURSE FACTS
how to enroll
Talk to your school counselor about enrolling in the course
Pre-register using the QR above. This saves your spot!
Watch for an email from your professor and complete the steps in the UNC dual enrollment guide.
Watch for confirmation of your student status from UNC and register for the course through URSA.
Put January 8th, 2024 on your calendar to start joining the class each Monday and Wednesday at 7am.
Watch for a welcome email with instructions from your professor!
how to Pay
In short, this class is free! Here are a few ways we help cover the cost of this class for students:
1. GSN Scholarships
Scholarships are currently available for student’s whose schools or districts are part of the Colorado Rural Education Collaborative or the Front Range Equity Network. Email Elliot Zettas to confirm.
2. Concurrent Enrollment
This sequence of courses can become part of the concurrent enrollment courses offered by your school or district. Contact Cory Pierce to confirm.
3. CDIP
GSN and partners will be applying for CDIP approval during the 2023-2024 school year so that schools/districts can receive reimbursement.
4. CDE scholarships
Check this list to see if any of CDE’s other teacher scholarship options apply.
Your Professor
Audrey Gutierrez serves as the College & Career Readiness Network Manager at GSN. She has a passion for education and has worked for eight years in schools and nonprofits in the Denver Metro area. Audrey started her journey in education as a Denver Math Fellow with AmeriCorps and then returned to get her teaching license through Boettcher Teacher Residency. She taught as a 4th and 5th grade literacy teacher in Denver Public Schools and a literacy interventionist in Aurora Public Schools. Audrey holds her M.A. in Literacy from University of Northern Colorado and is excited to return to UNC to inspire future educators!
Contact Professor Audrey Gutierrez at agutierrez@generationschools.org