​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Start where you are and 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 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 Paraeducator-to-​​Teacher Apprenticeship Pathway with two entry points: 

1. Pre-AA Apprenticeship for paraeducators working toward an Associate of Arts (AA) degree
2. ​ Post-BA Residency Program for college graduates who already hold a bachelor's degree and are ready to earn a SPED Preliminary Teaching Credential while working in a school as a paraeducator.
   

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 coursework aligned to California Commission on Teaching Credentialing (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 dedicated mentorship and ongoing support
  
• Benefit from the opportunity to 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 program ​​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?

​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!

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 are ready to enter the residency phase to earn a Preliminary Teaching Credential—we’re here to help you identify your next step with confidence.