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Academy for Rising Educators

What is the Academy for Rising Educators (ARE)?

Academy for Rising Educators logo

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is committed to teacher diversity. The ARE is one way we are hiring and recruiting more aspiring educators of color.

The ARE, in collaboration with the City of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL), helps SPS high school seniors and recent graduates, and current SPS staff earn their teaching certificate.

Earn your teacher certification at no tuition cost! SPS will pay all tuition costs once all eligible grants and scholarships have been applied.

The ARE application for the 2026-27 academic year is coming Spring 2025!

Are you a future educator with interest in early childhood, elementary, secondary, or special education? Opportunities to earn your teaching certification in these areas are available for admitted ARE students. Our team is currently making plans for application into our next ARE cohort. Interested applicants are welcome to email ARE Program Manager, Matthew Goode (magoode@seattleschools.org) for program updates and application news.

ARE Pathways to Teaching Certification

Path 1: For applicants with a high school diploma and fewer than 75 credit hours.

  • 4 Year Program
  • Attend Seattle Central College (2 years) > City University of Seattle (2 Years)
  • Graduate with BA & Teaching Certificate

Path 2: For applicants with an Associate of Arts (AA) Degree.

  • 2 Year Program
  • Attend City University of Seattle
  • Graduate with BA & Teaching Certificate

Path 3: For Applicants with a BA/BS or above.

  • 1 or 2 Year Program
  • Attend City University of Seattle or the University of Washington, including the Seattle Teacher Residency (STR)
    • Includes alternative routes to certification programs at CityU & UW (1 year)
  • Graduate with Teaching Certificate

ARE focuses on increasing representation in classrooms

The ARE aims to recruit and retain educators of color and diverse local backgrounds. Watch the King 5 video about ARE

The ARE prepares and supports candidates that model three program goals. Candidates are:

  • Rooted in our communities;
  • Dedicated to long-term teaching; and
  • Committed to anti-racist teaching to support students furthest away from educational justice.

Questions?

Please contact Matthew Goode magoode@seattleschools.org