Teachers in Residence - CASEL (Colorado Accelerated Special Education Licensure)
Denver Public Schools is committed to hiring highly qualified, motivated and dedicated teachers for our students. We realize that not every individual who has an interest and aptitude for teaching completed a teacher education program. Post baccalaureate teacher licensure routes provide opportunities for people from various education backgrounds and walks of life to become teachers. As a result, Denver Public Schools has approved the Teacher in Residence/CASEL program for candidates seeking licensure in Special Education.
The goals of the Teacher in Residence/CASEL program are to help school districts provide students with outstanding individuals who want to become public school teachers, to focus on the art and pedagogy of effective teaching, to provide a high quality, alternative pathway in teaching and to improve teacher retention. There are general requirements for all Teacher in Residence/CASEL candidates:
- All candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited four year college or university.
- Prior to hire, TiR/CASEL candidates must have their transcripts evaluated to be sure they meet the requirements of the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). This can be done in two ways. To be reviewed, you may send official transcripts and indicate desired endorsement area (Special Education) to: Marsha Chavez, Denver Public Schools, 900 Grant Street, Room 501, Denver, CO 80203. The other method is to send your Alternative licensure paperwork, official transcripts and the required fee to CDE. If you meet all the requirements, CDE will issue you a Statement of Eligibility in your endorsement area.
- Degrees from a foreign university must first be evaluated by an approved organization. Details are available at www.naces.org.
- All candidates must take and pass the appropriate required state content exam (PLACE or Praxis II) in their endorsement area. For Special Education candidates, the appropriate test to take is Elementary Education, PLACE Assessment #01 or PRAXIS II #10014. Check the following websites to find out about the testing information, to register to take the test, check registration status, find materials to help you prepare for the test and to get your test scores: www.place.nesinc.com or www.ets.org/praxis/prxaboutII.html.
- All candidates must have a criminal background check and be fingerprinted. You will need to acquire a CDE-approved fingerprint card either from the DPS representative, Marsha Chavez, or by ordering an application packet or fingerprint card at the CDE website: www.cde.state.co.us/index_licenseaps.htm. All applicants must have a complete set of fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency and submit the completed fingerprint card and the processing fee to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
- Complete an online application for a teaching position in the Denver Public Schools. (Apply online at www.dpsk12.org and click on Careers.)
- Interview for and be selected for a teaching position in the Denver Public Schools.
- Candidates selected for bilingual positions must pass the Spanish Language Proficiency (SLP) exam prior to being hired.
Once you are offered a full-time contract teaching position, you will be allowed to enter the Teacher in Residence Program. Our partner in this program is Metropolitan State College of Denver. (This is not the only state-approved Teacher in Residence program; however, it is the one that DPS works with in almost all cases.) During the two-year program, you are employed by DPS as a Teacher in Residence with pay and benefits. You will also be enrolled as a student at Metropolitan State College through the TiR/CASEL Program. Although you may pay for the program in a lump sum, you may also elect to do payroll deductions on a monthly basis. Financial aid is available for those who qualify through Metropolitan State College of Denver.
Teacher in Residence/CASEL
- For individuals who do not hold a teacher's license and have no previous teaching experience or for those who wish to add a Special Education Endorsement to an existing license.
- Candidates are planning to be endorsed in Special Education.
- This is a 2-year program. The cost of the program is $7,976 which is $3,988 per year.
- A summer session is offered before the school year begins.
- Year One and Two: Candidates attend classes each Tuesday evening (5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.) Course content includes: Diversity, Disability and Education; Exceptional Learner in the Classroom; Evaluation and Planning: Moderate Needs; Effective Behavioral Support Systems; Foundations of Literacy Instruction; Curriculum, Collaboration and Transition; Differentiated Instruction for Students with Disabilities; Language Development and Reading Disabilities; Educational Exceptionality and Human Growth; Assessment, Methods and Assistive Technology for Severe Disabilities; Assessment and Methods for Emotional/ Behavior Disorders.
- In the summer between years one and two, a four-week Assessment Instruction and Collaboration Practicum is required.
- Candidates receive support in their TiR/CASEL classroom, by their TiR/CASEL instructors, building/district mentor and by the individual administrative staff.
- Years One and Two: Candidates earn a total of 48 semester hours.
- Year Two: TiR/CASEL candidates work with their Metropolitan State College coach to complete all the standards and elements found in the Colorado Performance-Based Standards for Teachers.
- Candidates must take and pass the Special Education Generalist PLACE test.
- Upon successful completion of the program, DPS will recommend the candidate to the CDE for a license.
- DPS TiR Coordinator: Marsha Chavez, marsha_chavez@dpsk12.org 720-423-3293.
- Metropolitan State College of Denver contact: Delia Armstrong, deliadenver@msn.com 303-399-3728.
For additional Alternative Licensing questions, please contact:
Marsha Chavez
TiR Coordinator
Denver Public Schools
900 Grant Street, Room 501
Denver, CO 80203
marsha_chavez@dpsk12.org
720-423-3293 (Phone)
720-423-3201 (FAX)