Becoming a Teacher in Colorado

  • Teaching is a rewarding career. Colorado offers many options for high school graduates or people looking for a mid-career change.  27J Schools is a growing Colorado school district and hires over 200 teachers each year. See our links below to join a traditional teaching program here in the Denver area.  

    Teachers/Certified Positions: For all teaching/certified positions, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) conducts a fingerprint background check. CDE issues teaching licenses based on this background check. CDE communicates arrests to each district throughout employment. 27J does conduct a criminal background check at the time of hire. CDE requires fingerprints completed by a their 3rd party vendor or a certified law enforcement agency. Below are links to local law enforcement agencies that provide finger-printing.

    CDE Fingerprinting (read this first)

     

The Alternative Path to a Teaching License

  • Alternative licensure targets post-graduates holding at least a bachelor's degree. Alternative licensure programs are growing across the Denver area and throughout Colorado and serve as a path for career changers drawn to teaching.  27J Schools hires Colorado alternative pathway teachers.

    Call 303-655-2900 and ask for 27J HR for support.

    Colorado Department of Education (CDE) - Program Requirements 

    1. Background Check - Submit fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation
    2. Meet professional competence in a state-approved endorsement area for alternative licensure:
    3. For elementary candidates: Successfully pass the state-approved elementary content exam
    4. For special education candidates: Successfully pass the state-approved elementary content exam
    5. For early childhood candidates: Successfully pass the state-approved elementary content exam OR the state-approved early childhood content exam
    6. For K-12 endorsements and secondary endorsements: Hold a degree in the endorsement area from a regionally-accredited institution; OR Have 24 semester hours in the endorsement area, as outlined within the content evaluation worksheets; OR Earn a passing score on a state-approved assessment for the endorsement area.
    7. Obtain employment that matches the endorsement area in #2 above
    8. Select or be selected by a state-approved designated agency for alternative preparation.

    Alternative Pathway Program Links: