Academy Rising Educators Program Admissions Application - Cohort

Academy For Rising Educators

Interested in becoming a teacher? Join the Academy for Rising Educators! Seattle Public Schools, in partnership with the City of Seattle, offers the Academy for Rising Educators (ARE) — a no-cost pathway to earn your teaching certification. Designed especially for aspiring educators of color, the program supports individuals at various educational stages, from high school graduates to those with college degrees.

Multiple pathways available:

• Start with a high school diploma and earn a BA + teaching certificate in 4 years
• Begin with an AA degree and complete the program in 2 years
• Already have a BA? Earn certification in 1–2 years through CityU, UW, or the Seattle Teacher Residency

Why join?

• Tuition-free teaching certification
• Personalized support throughout the program
• A strong focus on equity, anti-racism, and increasing educator diversity

Essential functions include fostering an educational environment conducive to the learning and maturation process of assigned students, planning an instructional program designed to meet individual student needs and whole groups which may include at risk or special needs youth, preparing lesson plans, and using necessary and appropriate instructional methods and materials.

Other functions include serving on staff committees as required, participating in a variety of activities to enhance personal and professional skills, and performing related tasks consistent with the scope and responsibility of the position.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities include proficiency in reading, writing, and oral communications, effective communication with parents or guardians in a diverse community, and designing and implementing lesson plans for students having a wide range of achievement.

Typical qualifications include a minimum of one full-time year of experience working directly with children and meeting one of the following educational requirements:

• Pathway 1 – High School Graduate or Fewer than 75 College Credits:
  Possession of a high school diploma or GED. Fewer than 75 earned college credits.
• Pathway 2 – Associate degree:
  Possession of an Associate of Arts (AA) degree or equivalent. Eligible for transfer into a bachelor's degree program.
• Pathway 3 – Bachelor's Degree:
  Possession of a bachelor's degree in any field. Eligible for admission into an alternative route teacher certification program or teacher residency (e.g., City University of Seattle, University of Washington, or Seattle Teacher Residency).

Preferred qualifications include experience working or volunteering with children, youth, or in educational settings, a strong connection to and investment in the Seattle community, demonstrated commitment to anti-racism, equity, and culturally responsive education, and interest in pursuing a long-term career in teaching with Seattle Public Schools.