​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Start where you are and grow into a special e​ducation teacher!

This paid apprenticeship is designed for current or aspiring paraeducators in Morgan Hill Unified School District (MHUSD), meeting you at your entry point and supporting you every step of the way toward earning your California Education Specialist Credential. 

Open to individuals at any stage of their career journey, the program offers a clear, multi-step pathway into the teaching profession:​ Associate of Arts​ (AA) → Bachelor of Arts (BA) → Teaching Credential. Whether you are just beginning in education or already hold an AA or BA/BS ​and are ready to take the next step, this apprenticeship provides the guidance, experience, and momentum to move your career forward.

Pr​ogram Details

The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) and MHUSD offer a Special Education Paraeducator-to-​​Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway with two entry points:​

​​​ PRE-AA APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
For paraeducators working toward an Associate of Arts (AA)​ degree​​​

• ​​​Earn your Associate of Arts (AA) degree.
  
• Work as a paraeducator at MHUSD while earning your AA at Gavilan College through tuition-free, flexible, ​in-person classes, offered in the evenings and on weekends.
  
• Receive dedica​ted mentorship and ongoing support.
  
• ​Option to continue from an AA to a Bachelor of Arts (BA), ultimately working toward a teaching credential. Scholarships are available!
  ​​​
  
​​ P​OST-BA RESIDENCY PROGRAM​
For college graduates who already hold a bachelor's degree and are ready to earn a Preliminary Teaching Credential 
• ​​Earn your Special Education Preliminary Credential by ​completing online cred​ential coursework at Teachers College of San Joaquin.
  
• Work as a paraeducator at MHUSD alongside a Mentor Teacher and take on increasing responsibilities in the classroom as the program progresses.
  
• Receive dedicated mentorship and ongoing support.
  
• Receive a $25,000 stipend and commit to teaching after earning the credential. The model mixes paid school-site experience, structured mentoring, and coursework aligned to California Commission on Teaching Credentialing (CTC) standards.​
  
  

Financial Assistance​​

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

• Tuition and books fully covered for the Pre-AA Apprenticeship 
  
• $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?

No matter where you are on your career path—exploring a meaningful profession, beginning your coursework, building on existing college credits, or holding a bachelor’s degree and ready to enter the residency phase to earn a Preliminary Teaching Credential—we’re here to help you identify your next step with confidence.

​This program is for individuals who:

• Are currently employed as special education paraeducators at MHUSD.
• Are interested in working as a special education paraeducator at MHUSD (openings available!)
• Are reliable​​, growth-minded team members who value mentoring and ongoing support and​ want a clear pathway to a credential.
• ​Are able to attend college while working​. 
  

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