Teacher Preparation Program (TPP)
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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 two Saturdays per month throughout the school year. All teacher candidates will engage in a year of hands-on classroom teaching experience in their chosen field experience option: Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Elementary Education.
Learn more about our program by watching a 30 minute Info Session or book a Q&A with the TPP Director using this link.
If you don’t see times convenient for you, simply email tppinfo@friendsschoolboulder.
Complete the online application.
Once accepted, complete the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Alternative License Requirements.
Discounted CU Denver
Master’s Program
Applicants may choose to enroll in the Master’s Program. Enrollment occurs after applicants are accepted to the Friends TPP. For more information contact: tppinfo@friendsschoolboulder.org
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 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. This is an unpaid position. For paid positions, see 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 an employee of the school.
Teacher candidates in paraeducator or associate teacher positions spend 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.
Teacher candidates in a Teacher of Record position are the lead teacher and will have a mentor teacher in the same school.
Upon completion of the program and passing of required test, teacher candidates receive their Initial Colorado Teaching License. Licensure pathways for:
Participants may choose to complete a Master’s in Learning, Developmental and Family Sciences, through our partnership with CU Denver.
Teacher candidates in the Master’s program receive 12 graduate credits for their classroom teaching experience and coursework completed within the program. The remaining 18 credits through CU Denver are generally taken over the summer and following year.
For more details: Email TPP Info
Applicants who complete the employee pathway 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!
Scholarship applications will be sent to admitted candidates in the spring before the program begins. Preference is given to candidates placed at Friends School and those pursuing the MA. Candidates receiving the ERR funding are not eligible for this scholarship.
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.
Teacher Candidates can complete their alternative licensure placement in any Colorado school. The schools listed below are schools that Friends School TPP partners with regularly, but new school partnerships can be established based on Candidate interest.
Animas Elementary (Durango)
Bear Creek Elementary
Beach Court Elementary (Denver)
Coal Creek Elementary
Community Montessori
Coyote Creek Elementary (Highlands Ranch)
Crest View Elementary
Crown Pointe Academy
Eisenhower Elementary School
Flatirons Elementary
Gold Hill Elementary School
High Peaks Elementary
Horizons K-8
Louisville Elementary School
Louisville Middle School
Meadowlark School
Mesa Elementary School
Monarch K-8
Nederland Elementary
New Vista High School
Peak to Peak Charter School
Sanchez Elementary School
Superior Elementary School
Whittier International School
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!"
One Year Virtual Program to earn Professional Teaching Licensure
Interested in converting your Initial License to a Professional Teacher License? The Friends School Teacher Preparation Program offers a one-year virtual induction program that supports Inductees’ in creating a professional growth plan and provides seminars in progressive pedagogy tailored to the cohort’s growth goals.
Friends School is passionate about mindfulness and care for the “whole educator” as an antidote to teacher burnout.
For more information, contact Director of Teacher Preparation Program, Elizabeta Gonzalez at egonzalez@friendsschoolboulder.org.
Program
Location
Dates
Time
Cost
School site mentor and Friends School Program Director Observations.
Zoom
Mondays:
9/14/26
10/19/26
3/8/27
4/5/27
5/3/27
5:00-8:00pm
$2,000 with a 10-month payment plan available
tppinfo@friendsschoolboulder.org
303-499-1999
Friends Lower School & Teacher Preparation Program
5465 Pennsylvania Avenue
Boulder, CO 80303