Instructors

Adult education programs provide learning opportunities to adults with barriers to employment and adult education instructors are important advocates that inspire confidence in their learners. Instructors may help learners improve proficiency in reading, writing, math and English. They may also provide English as a second language (ESL) instruction, or industry-specific instruction that leads to a professional certificate (e.g. mechanics, construction, electrical, hospitality, customer service).

Instructors may be responsible for assessing learners’ proficiency, creating lesson plans, monitoring student progress, and connecting learners with additional resources (such as a local workforce center) to help the learners find meaningful employment. Becoming an adult education instructor can be a rewarding career choice. Some adult education programs require instructors to have a bachelor’s degree and experience working with adults (volunteering with an adult education program is one way to gain experience).

Instructors who are hired by a federally-funded program in Colorado must obtain the Adult Basic Education Authorization within three years of hire at a federally-funded adult education program. Many people interested in teaching ESL seek out a TESOL certificate. Some colleges and universities offer degrees in adult education.

There are adult education programs throughout the state and may be located in a school, community college, non-profit, library, correctional facility, or workforce center. If you are interested in becoming an instructor, please reference the AEI Find a Program map to identify nearby programs. You can also sign up for the CLICK listserve. The CLICK listserve is managed by AEI with the purpose of connecting those working in adult education and related fields in Colorado. Job openings at adult education programs are often posted to CLICK. To join CLICK, please email aei@cde.state.co.us.