Teacher Preparation Program (TPP)

Accepting Applications for the 24-25 School Year

NEW! STIPENDS FOR ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES:

Applicants to Friends TPP may be eligible to receive funds up to $22,000.

Teacher Preparation

Friends School offers a unique Teacher Preparation Program to aspiring teachers that will enable them to attain a Colorado Teaching License as well as an optional Master’s degree in education through our partnership with the University of Colorado Denver.

This highly regarded graduate-level program offers two tracks depending on your specific needs. Coursework begins in August with an orientation week and continues every Saturday throughout the school year.  All teacher candidates will engage in a year of hands-on classroom teaching experience regardless of the “field experience option” chosen.

Applications for 2024-2025

Step 1

Complete the online application.

Step 2

Note: To enroll in ANY Alternative Teacher Licensing Program in Colorado, including the Friends School Teacher Preparation Program, you must pass the appropriate Praxis Exams. Details in the CDE Alternative License Instructions.

Step 3 (Optional)

University of Colorado Denver
Master’s Program.

Note: To be completed with TPP Support in May/June – if accepted into program.

Email Jennifer Campo for information.

Required Field Experience

Option 1

Co-Teaching Residency Model

The residency track of the program places teachers in one of our partnership classrooms in public and independent schools throughout Colorado depending on the teacher candidate’s preference.

Teacher candidates spend four to five days each week for one school year in either an elementary or preschool classroom, working alongside a mentor teacher in a co-teaching role. The mentor teacher serves as the teacher of record in this model. The mentor teacher serves as the teacher of record in this model. This may be paid or unpaid depending on the role. For example, para educators and assistant teachers are paid positions (school employee). 

  • No prior teaching experience necessary
  • One year to program completion
  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree
  • Available statewide
  • Work alongside a mentor teacher in the classroom
  • Consistent feedback through field coaching
  • Eligible for scholarships and financial aid which include cash payout
  • Option to pursue Master’s degree
  • Earn Colorado State Teacher’s License
  • Access to 5 years of professional development workshops upon program completion to earn credit towards a Professional Teacher License

Option 2

Teacher of Record or Employee Model

In this track of the program, teacher candidates generally secure a position within a school on their own, either as the teacher of record, assistant or associate teacher, or paraeducator.

The teacher candidate is essentially an employee of the school where they are gaining their required field experience and may be required to work Monday through Friday at their school. This is a paid teacher position.

  • Must possess some experience working with students in an educational setting
  • One year to program completion
  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree
  • Available statewide
  • Serve as the sole/lead teacher in the classroom with support from a teacher in the building
  • Consistent feedback through field coaching
  • Hired and paid by school district and eligible for scholarships
  • Option to pursue Master’s degree
  • Earn Colorado State Teacher’s License
  • Access to professional development workshops upon program completion to earn credit towards a Professional Teacher License

Colorado Teaching License

Upon completion of the program and passing of required test, teacher candidates receive their Initial Colorado Teaching License in either Elementary Education (K-6) or Early Childhood Education (birth-age 8).

Master’s Degree (Optional)

Participants may choose to complete a Master’s in Learning, Developmental and Family Sciences, through our partnership with the University of Colorado Denver.

Teacher candidates in the Master’s program receive 12 hours of graduate credit for their classroom teaching experience and coursework completed within the program, with an additional 6 credits earned through University of Colorado Denver courses during the program year. The remaining eighteen credits through University of Colorado Denver are generally taken over the summer and following year.

Tuition & Finances

Tuition

Optional Additional Fees

Master's Degree

Significant discount over a main CU Denver degree

Prices subject to change.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

For more details: Email Jennifer Campo

Applicants may be eligible to receive funds up to $22,000. This law creates an innovation program to provide stipends to eligible teacher candidates while they complete their clinical experience.

Applicants who complete their residency in a public school may be eligible to receive funds that pay for their tuition.

Offers a one-time grant for up to $3,000 for women enrolled in a Teacher Education Program and a MA/ED Program. They also offer low-interest education loans.

A program that provides free support to anyone who’s thinking about becoming a teacher. You could get perks like 1-on-1 coaching, up to $100 fee reimbursements, and a chance to win a regional $1,000 scholarship!

Create a TEACH Colorado account here before you apply to Friends School TPP. Once you have subscribed to TEACH Colorado and applied to Friends, submit your application fee reimbursement here and apply for the TEACH Colorado scholarship here!

Applicants must submit the online application and Kitzinger application by February 20, 2024. More information on the Kitzinger Scholarship and how to apply.

Tuition Reimbursement

Several of our partner schools that are independent will pay for the Teacher Candidate’s Tuition upon full completion of the Co-Teaching Residency Model.

Partner Schools

The Friends School Teacher Prep Program was one of the best years of my life, and it has shaped my entire teaching career. I completed the program in 2008 and have been teaching from the heart ever since. Thank you!

Challenging minds. Nurturing spirits. Honoring individuality