Are you interested in teaching and yet don’t hold a teaching certificate? We can help you with an alternative license!
If you hold an undergraduate degree and are interested in teaching, you can apply for an Alternative Teacher License! As an alternative teacher, you receive teacher pay and benefits, while learning how to become a teacher through a supportive alternative teacher pathway.
What: Here’s the Colorado Department of Education page on alternative licensure: https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/altteacheroverview
Alternative Teacher Pathway – Requirements
The alternative teacher pathway allows districts to hire individuals to serve as a teacher while completing the necessary teacher preparation based on the Colorado Teacher Quality Standards. Alternative teacher preparation programs vary in length from 1 year to 2 years (though special education generalist candidates may take a third year, if necessary). While serving as a teacher, alternative candidates put what they learn into practice immediately.
To qualify, each candidate must:
- Hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college/university;
- Be enrolled in an approved Colorado alternative teacher program; and
- Complete and submit an ALTERNATIVE TEACHER application to request either a Colorado Alternative Teacher License or an Interim Authorization issued specifically for alternative teacher preparation.
In LCSD, we have partnered with Colorado Mountain College and Mountain BOCES for our alternative teacher pathways.
Cost: Program costs vary; the employee pays for the program of their choice, and there is grant funding available to off-set the costs!
The Educator Recruitment and Retention (ERR) program was created by SB21-185 to provide qualified program applicants with up to $10,000 in one-time financial assistance toward their educator preparation program costs. Recipients must commit to teaching in a shortage area for three years in a Colorado public school. Applicants can meet eligibility criteria for the program by first being enrolled in a Colorado-approved traditional or alternative educator preparation program (EPP) (or institute of higher education for applicants pursuing a CTE credential) and meeting one of the criteria below:
- Has an earned bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university and has secured employment as an alternative teacher or temporary educator eligibility (TEE) educator in a shortage area; or
- Is currently employed as a paraprofessional in a school district, charter school or BOCES
- Has secured a position as a CTE instructor in a rural or small rural district and meets state CTE requirements
Please note that all employment referenced in the above list must be in a Colorado public school.
- You can also apply for scholarship money through our local Colorado Workforce office!
Please feel free to contact Kathleen (719-486-4678) or your principal for any questions!
Having a current license is the responsibility of the employee and a requirement for a teacher contract.
