Growing as Educators, Growing as Leaders: Lessons from Eagle Rock’s Fellowship and Licensure Program

At Eagle Rock School, we believe in the power of people to transform–not just themselves, but the communities they serve. For over three decades, our Alternative Licensure Program and Teaching Fellowship have invited emerging educators to live, learn, and grow alongside young people in Estes Park, CO. It’s a journey that shapes careers, teaching philosophies, and most importantly, human beings who are committed to justice and connection.

One alum, Berta Rosa Guillén, known as “Bee” during her years at Eagle Rock, shows us what this kind of transformation looks like. Her story reflects the heart of what our programs are designed to do: prepare educators who are reflective, resilient, and ready to lead.

Finding a Voice at Eagle Rock

Berta joined Eagle Rock in 2008 as a Public Allies fellow in Societies and Cultures. Coming from the Mission District of San Francisco, she carried a deep sense of heritage, ancestry, and place. At Eagle Rock, that identity became a source of strength. Living in the Willow House on campus and immersed in community life, Berta found that the fellowship was not just about teaching–it was about constant self-reflection. Every choice in the classroom mattered, and fellows were encouraged to look closely at how those choices impacted students.

Her fellowship experience was transformative. When her supervising teacher left during her first year, Berta was invited to step into a lead instructional specialist role. Rather than shrink from the challenge, she embraced it, receiving support from a community that trusted her and gave her the tools to succeed. She leaned into every opportunity:

• Facilitating professional development for both students and staff, turning her own learning into shared growth
• Building comfort as a speaker and facilitator, learning to guide difficult conversations and wrestle with complex topics
• Developing expertise in curriculum design, discerning the nuances between instruction and curriculum in ways that would later define her career
• Engaging in Communities of Practice, where she collaborated with educators nationwide to refine practices and define what was essential for student learning

Her time at Eagle Rock was not passive; Berta challenged systems, questioned assumptions, and pushed the community to grow. She expected from her colleagues and students the same dedication she demanded of herself: a willingness to think critically, take risks, and put in the hard work of improvement. That culture of rigor and care gave her the confidence to step into leadership roles beyond Colorado.

Leading with Purpose in Oakland

After six years at Eagle Rock, Berta returned to California, where she brought everything she learned into the public school system. She joined MetWest High School, a Big Picture Learning school in Oakland, eventually serving as Assistant Principal. Now Berta works as the Ethnic Studies Teacher on Special Assignment for the Oakland Unified School District. In this role, she co-creates curriculum with educators, designs instructional models, and uplifts students’ voices.

Berta’s activism and organizing spirit continue to shape her work. She sees education as both craft and calling–something that demands constant effort, reflection, and a commitment to equity. Many of the practices she honed at Eagle Rock still guide her today, such as journaling as a tool for sustainability and creating space for intentionality in every interaction. Berta credits Eagle Rock with giving her both the philosophical grounding and the tangible tools to shape a sustainable career in public education.

Perhaps most importantly, Berta carries forward the belief that schools are ecosystems, not just classrooms. They can be thriving communities where students, teachers, and leaders all share responsibility for creating meaningful, memorable experiences.

What Makes the Fellowship and Licensure Program Unique

Berta’s journey illustrates the distinctive qualities of Eagle Rock’s Alternative Licensure Program and Teaching Fellowship. She gives special highlight to the practical impact of the licensure program: having a Colorado credential that transferred to California meant higher pay, stability, and professional autonomy. That credential, earned debt-free through the fellowship, opened doors that might otherwise have been closed.

Here are some other things that set the program apart:

• Integration of Learning and Practice: Fellows teach real classes while building a portfolio of lesson plans, student work, and reflective writing, supported by ongoing mentorship
• Professional Development: With workshops, Critical Friends Groups, and opportunities to lead professional development workshops, fellows develop skills that extend far beyond the classroom
• Licensure Pathway: Participants can earn a Colorado teaching license, often transferable to other states, opening doors to long-term careers in public education
• Support and Sustainability: Room, board, a living stipend, and access to resources mean fellows can focus fully on their growth without the burden of debt
• Community and Critical Reflection: Living and working on campus fosters relationships that challenge fellows to grapple with complex questions and develop a deeper understanding of equity, justice, and belonging

These opportunities are designed for those ready to live in community, embrace reflection, and commit to education as a practice of growth and service. Over time, fellows like Berta have gone on to become school leaders, curriculum designers, activists, and changemakers in education and beyond. What unites them is a shared commitment to questioning the status quo and co-creating schools that better center connection, justice, and hope.

Step Into the Work

Every fellow’s journey is different, but the through-line is clear: Eagle Rock is a place where educators learn by doing, by reflecting, and by building community. For Berta, it was the foundation for a career dedicated to student voice, justice, and leadership. For others, it has led to teaching, administration, research, and advocacy across the country.

If you feel the call to teach (or even just the inkling that you might), our Alternative Licensure Program and Teaching Fellowship offer a unique pathway into education. We invite you to explore, to grow, and to join a community that believes schools can be places of connection, curiosity, and change.

Reach out to us, ask questions, and consider applying. Like Berta, you may find that your time at Eagle Rock is not just a stepping stone in your career, but a transformative chapter that shapes everything that follows.