Pathway to Teaching Program

Pathway to Teaching Program

Overview: 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.

Contact:
Spark SF Public Schools
135 Van Ness Avenue, Room 119
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 241-5576
Tax ID: 47-4568396