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 under an alternative teaching license. In order to meet the requirements of this license, Fellows will need to enroll in an alternative licensing program, prove that they have passed the appropriate Praxis II or PLACE exam, 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 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.

Fellows may be eligible for the Teaching Fellows AmeriCorps Education Awards Program. All Fellows are responsible for covering the costs of all licensure course requirements. However, first year Fellows may be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award after successfully completing their first year of teaching.  The award, which is valid for seven years after issuance, may be used to pay for licensure or future education costs, including the repayment of eligible student loans.  Additionally, Fellows who enroll in the AmeriCorps program will be able to put most existing student loans into forbearance during their term of service with AmeriCorps.

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

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