- Work at 27J
- Becoming a Teacher in Colorado
Becoming a Teacher in Colorado
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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.
- ColoradoTEACH
- University of Northern Colorado
- Metro State
- CU Boulder
- Colorado Christian
- CU Denver
- Colorado Department of Education
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
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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
- Background Check - Submit fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation
- Meet professional competence in a state-approved endorsement area for alternative licensure:
- For elementary candidates: Successfully pass the state-approved elementary content exam
- For special education candidates: Successfully pass the state-approved elementary content exam
- For early childhood candidates: Successfully pass the state-approved elementary content exam OR the state-approved early childhood content exam
- 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.
- Obtain employment that matches the endorsement area in #2 above
- Select or be selected by a state-approved designated agency for alternative preparation.
Alternative Pathway Program Links:
- Colorado Teach
- Not yet a licensed teacher, but interested in having a classroom of your own? Our friends at TEACH Colorado can help! With free 1-on-1 coaching, information on the alternative licensure pathway, and financial support, they’re ready to help you on your journey to becoming an educator. Sign up today!
- Not yet a licensed teacher, but interested in having a classroom of your own? Our friends at TEACH Colorado can help! With free 1-on-1 coaching, information on the alternative licensure pathway, and financial support, they’re ready to help you on your journey to becoming an educator. Sign up today!
- CDE Alternative License Webpage
- CDE Alternative FAQ
- CDE - All Approved Programs List
- Fort Morgan Schools - Alternative Program
- PEBC - Boettcher Teacher Program
- MSU Denver
- BOCES
- Colorado River BOCES
- CCU
- CSU
- UCD