Pathway to Teaching Program

An accessible credentialing program for aspiring teachers that addresses barriers to entry by providing tuition support and an accelerated timeline to gaining a teacher credential. Designed to develop a diverse and high-quality teacher pipeline for San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Geographic Scope: San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), CA

Focus Areas:

• Teacher pipeline development
• Educator diversity and inclusion
• Career pathways in education
• Support for first-generation and underrepresented educators

Program Details:

• Approximately 60 Pathway to Teaching interns participate annually
• Components:
  • Intensive coursework
  • Practice-based summer training
  • Full-time teaching position while completing credentialing requirements
  • Tuition support provided
  • Accelerated credentialing timeline

Eligibility:

• Aspiring teachers
• Individuals seeking teacher credentials
• Priority given to first-generation and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds

Teacher Demographics & Retention:

• 64% of graduates are teachers of color (compared to 34% of educators statewide)
• 93% return for a second year of teaching
• 85% return for a third year (compared to national average of 44% retention within first five years)
• Retention rates have increased with every cohort since program inception

Funding: Supported by Salesforce and Spark SF Public Schools donors

Impact Example: Josefina Matus, a mother of 11, overcame multiple barriers including rigid credentialing schedules and prohibitive tuition costs to become a teacher at ER Taylor Elementary School. She brings her cultural background, lived experience, and prior paraeducator experience to support students, particularly those of color and with learning disabilities.