Licensure

Fellows will participate in an accelerated alternate route to licensure program, teaching full-time while completing licensure requirements. Rather than completing a traditional teacher education program prior to entering the classroom, Fellows first engage in an intensive summer training program that is specifically designed for Denver Teaching Fellows and is free of cost, before then completing additional academic licensure (also known as certification) requirements while teaching full-time. This allows Fellows to become fully-licensed teachers in the state of Colorado while teaching and earning a full salary and benefits.

All Fellows formally commit to working towards and completing their licensing requirements when accepting their offer to join the Teaching Fellows program. Note that all licensing courses and requirements are determined and managed by Denver Public Schools, the state of Colorado, and/or licensure partners – NOT the Teaching Fellows program. We do not have complete and confirmed details on licensing course requirements and costs at this time. However, the Fellows program is committed to updating Fellows on this information as soon as it becomes available, ensuring that Fellows have the information and resources needed to enroll in their state-approved alternative licensing programs to become fully-licensed educators.

Fellows will begin teaching as Authorized Teachers in Residence. In order to receive this authorization, Fellows will need to enroll in the Teacher in Residence alternative licensing program, prove that they have passed the Praxis II and/or PLACE exam(s), meet all coursework eligibility requirements, and complete additional enrollment processing steps (such as securing fingerprinting clearance and submitting official transcripts). While teaching full-time, Fellows will complete alternative licensing coursework and requirements, meeting performance based standards. The Teachers in Residence program and its requirements are designed to take two years to complete. Assuming that Fellows successfully meet all licensing program requirements, they will be eligible to earn their three-year Initial License upon successful completion of two years teaching. Once Fellows earn this three-year Initial License and complete their district induction, they will then be able to apply for the five-year Professional License.

While the Teaching Fellows program helps Fellows connect the pieces to earn their teaching license, it is the Fellow’s responsibility to meet licensure program requirements. More detailed information on enrollment in the alternative licensing program will be provided to Fellows upon enrollment and during summer Institute.

Most Fellows will benefit from the Teaching Fellows AmeriCorps Education Awards Program. All Fellows are responsible for covering the costs of all licensure course requirements. However, participation in the Denver Teaching Fellows makes most first year Fellows eligible to apply to enroll in the AmeriCorps Education Awards program to earn an education award worth $4,725. This award is valid for seven years after issuance and can be used to pay for licensure or future education costs including repaying qualified student loans.

In order to be eligible to receive the award, Fellows must meet all AmeriCorps eligibility criteria, enroll in the AmeriCorps Education Awards program, and remain active as a Fellow in the district for the entire school year - meeting AmeriCorps service requirements. This service will include teaching your classes, creating lesson plans, correcting homework, planning projects for your students, reaching out to parents and guardians, and managing all other aspects of a teacher’s job, including professional development and licensure courses. Your service hours may also be spent participating in school committees, student clubs, after-school tutoring, and the recruitment and management of volunteers in your classroom or school. We are confident that first year Fellows who enroll in the AmeriCorps Education Awards program and who teach for their entire first school year will fulfill the service requirement for this award through the day-to-day work required of all new teachers.

More detailed information on enrollment in the Teaching Fellows AmeriCorps Education Awards Program and details on licensure costs will be provided to Fellows upon enrollment in the program and during summer Institute.

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