Become A Teacher
You Belong in the Classroom. We’ll Help You Get There.
At DSST, we believe the best teachers reflect the communities they serve. Our paid, fully supported pathways remove barriers—so you can earn your license, gain experience, and start making an impact from day one.
We’re committed to breaking down the financial and systemic barriers that prevent great potential educators from entering the classroom. If you have the passion and drive to teach, we’ll help you find your path to get there.
Before You Apply: Gain Experience Working with Students
Becoming a teacher is a big step—and a meaningful one. Our pathways are designed for people who are ready to commit to the work of teaching, not just try it out. Before applying, we strongly encourage you to get experience working directly with K–12 students. That’s the best way to discover your strengths, build skills, and confirm that the classroom is where you want to make your impact.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to start gaining experience:
- Summer Teaching Fellowships – Programs like Generation Teach or Breakthrough Collaborative offer paid, hands-on teaching experience in the summer.
- Teach For America Ignite Fellowship – A paid, part-time virtual tutoring program for college students to build teaching skills and connect with K–12 students. Learn more here.
- Summer Camp Counselor – Build leadership and communication skills while working with kids in recreation, arts, or enrichment programs.
- Sports Coach or After-School Instructor – Lead activities, foster teamwork, and gain experience managing groups of students.
- Substitute Teach at DSST with HelloSubs – Get hands-on experience in DSST classrooms while earning income with a flexible schedule. Apply here!
Find the Entry Point That’s Right for You
Every journey into teaching looks a little different. The best pathway for you depends on your background, education, and readiness to lead a classroom. Use this guide to explore your next step at DSST.
Start in our Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway — a cost-free, supported route to earning your bachelor’s degree and your teaching license.
You’ll work as a full time Paraprofessional in a DSST school while completing your degree through REACH University, with tuition fully covered by DSST.
Learn More and Apply to our Paraprofessional to Teacher Pathway.
Join the STEM Apprentice Teacher Program — a paid, year-long residency where you co-teach with a mentor, earn your alternative teaching license, and build confidence in the classroom.
Learn About DSST STEM Apprentice Teacher Program
If you are interested in teaching a content area other than STEM, you can join DSST as a PEBC Teacher Resident. You will work alongside a mentor teacher for a full year, earn transferable credits toward a master’s degree, and access five years of professional development through PEBC.
Learn About PEBC's Residency Program.
If you have extensive experience working with students and feel ready to take on a full-time teaching role, one of these advanced pathways may be the right fit:
- TEACH Start Fellows – Earn while you learn: work full-time as a substitute teacher with salary and benefits from day one, receive expert coaching, and move toward becoming a lead, credentialed teacher. Learn more and apply here.
- Teach For America Colorado Corps Member – Join DSST as a TFA corps member and receive dual support from TFA and DSST. Learn more and apply here.
- ASPIRE Special Education Licensure Scholarship – Lead a classroom from day one while earning your Special Education license (tuition fully covered). Apply here.
Additional Resource: TEACH Colorado
We recommend connecting with TEACH Colorado, a free statewide resource that helps aspiring educators navigate every step of the process.
Through TEACH Colorado, you can get:
- Personalized 1-on-1 coaching to explore teacher prep programs
- Step-by-step guides for licensure, testing, and resumes
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Up to $1,100 in financial aid (+ additional scholarship opportunities!) to help you apply and enroll
Not Sure Where to Start?
Everyone’s journey into teaching looks different. If you’re unsure which DSST pathway is right for you, our team can help you explore your options and answer any questions. Sign up here to speak with a DSST Recruiter.
Have questions about transferring a license or our J-1 Teacher Exchange VISA Program? Visit our FAQ page for more information.