​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Start where you are, grow into a Special Education teacher.

If you’re a current paraeducator in Morgan Hill Unified School District (MHUSD) or want to begin working as one, this paid apprenticeship-residency meets you at your entry point and supports you every step of the way toward your California Education Specialist Credential.

Pr​ogram Details

The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) and MHUSD offer a Special Education (SPED) T​eacher apprenticeship pathway with two entry points: 

1. Pre-AA Apprenticeship for paraeducators working toward an associate degree
2. ​ Post-BA Residency Apprenticeship for college graduates ready to earn a SPED credential while working in a school.

Participants learn online with coaching, complete coursework toward the credential, and work in MHUSD classrooms.

Post-BA residents receive a $25,000 stipend during the residency year and commit to teaching after they earn the credential. The model mixes paid school-site experience, structured mentoring, and EPP coursework aligned to CTC standards.​

PROGRAM LOCATIONS​​

• Apprenticeship Coursework: Gavilan College (in person)
• Residency Program: Teacher’s College of San Joaquin (virtual)
  
  

Program Structure

• Work as a paraeducator while completing coursework
• Attend college part-time (evenings/weekends as scheduled)
• Receive mentorship, support, and guidance throughout
• Transition from AA to BA, and enter a virtual teacher residency
• Earn a Special Education teaching credential through a supported path
  
  

Financial Assistance​​

Participants in this pogram ​​may be eligible for the following support:

• Tuition and books fully covered for the MHUSD apprenticeship program
  
• $25,000 residency stipend for eligible post-BA residents, paid in installments during the program, with a service commitment following credential completion. See S​CCOE Teacher Residency Program​ for details
  
• $4,000 annual scholarship through the SCCOE Classified School Employee Teacher Credential Grant Program for the eligible current and former classified employees
  
• Golden State Teacher Grant — up to $20,000, for candidates in approved programs who commit to teaching in a high-need area such as Special Education. Apply through California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)​​
  
  

Support Provided

Participants in this pathway receive:

• ​One-on-one mentoring from experienced Special Education staff
• Academic advising to support successful course completion
• Access to resources for financial and professional guidance
• A step-by-step roadmap from support role to credentialed teacher
  
  

Who are the Best Candidates for this Program?

• Current paraeducators or interested in working as a special education paraprofessional in MHUSD.
• People who want to work with students with disabilities
• Reliable, growth-minded teammates who want steady coaching and a clear path to a credential.
• ​Are able to attend college while workin

Enter where you are at, we will create a pathway for you!

Whether you're just starting your coursework, already have some college credits, or have a bachelors degree and area ready to earn a credentialare ready to enter the residency phase, we will help you determine your next step.

Note: Applicants must be currently employed by Morgan Hill Unified School District.