Early Childhood Career Navigation

Introducing Early Childhood Career Navigation!

Our Mission

The Early Childhood Career Navigation Team uses knowledge, intention and collaboration to inclusively guide, connect and support individuals in the pursuit of a career in the profession of early childhood education.

What Is Early Childhood Career Navigation?

Early childhood career navigation helps individuals make informed education and career choices. Career development is a cycle with different parts. An individual can go through the cycle multiple times throughout the course of a career. Once individuals know and recognize their value, they can explore options, plan their actions and create their future! The Early Childhood Career Navigation team can help with any or all parts of the cycle.

Supporting Early Childhood Professionals

The Early Childhood Career Navigation team can help with:

Clarifying pathways to becoming qualified to be an early childhood teacher or family childcare provider
Guiding professionals toward educator preparation/degree programs and college courses
Finding options for financial resources to help pay for the
cost of higher education
Stewarding and paying for the cost of international transcript evaluation

Early Childhood Career Navigation Infographic

Locating and enrolling in professional development to build on strengths and fill in gaps in knowledge or skill
Providing wellness resources
Connecting professionals to their early childhood community

To speak with a career navigator, send an email to EceCareerNav@cde.state.co.us.
We are available evenings and weekends by appointment and assistance for Spanish speakers is available!

Supporting Partnerships

We partner closely with TEACH Colorado to simplify the path to the classroom. Sign up today for free access to:
- 1-on-1 advising from experts
- Monthly group advising webinars to help you take the next step
- Multilingual how-to guides
- Fee reimbursements, scholarships, and more!
- TEACH has also developed several marketing toolkits to support recruitment efforts. Read more about their marketing toolkits here.

Community of Practice - Several entities provide early childhood career navigation, either formally or informally. CDE's Early Childhood Career Navigation Team provides backbone support for a community of practice to bring together these entities to share knowledge, maximize efforts and reduce duplication. It is an open community and if you would like to join, email us at EceCareerNav@cde.state.co.us.

A pdf version of this webpage is available here | A Spanish version of this page is available here.

Career Navigation Support

Please email ececareernav@cde.state.co.us

Jennifer O'Brien
Director
Email Jennifer
303-656-8596

Sharlene Chiappetti
Email Sharlene
720-576-0259

Amy Oliver
Email Amy
720-456-5760