Alternative Licensure Program
DCSD Alternative Licensure Program
Looking to become a licensed teacher in Colorado while working in the classroom? The Douglas County School District (DCSD) Alternative Licensure Program offers a unique, supportive pathway to earn your professional teaching license—all while teaching.
This is a free, two-year, CDE-approved program for individuals hired into a certified teaching position within DCSD. Once hired, candidates can apply for the Alternative Licensure Teacher Program, which begins with a summer launch and continues with one evening seminar per month throughout the school year. We offer both general education and special education pathways. Our program proudly welcomes educators from all walks of life— education assistants, business professionals, finance experts, art gallery owners, and more, each bringing a wealth of real-world experience and unique perspectives to their classrooms.
What Makes Our Program Exceptional?
DCSD’s Alternative Licensure Program is built around wraparound support from a dedicated team of professionals. The goal is not just to help teachers meet licensure requirements, but to help them thrive as educators.
Mentor
- Teachers will be paired with an experienced mentor who teaches a similar subject or grade level. Mentors help with instructional strategies, classroom management, planning, and the everyday ins and outs of teaching.
District Coach
- A district coach will provide classroom observations, targeted feedback, and one-on-one coaching based on the Colorado Teacher Quality Standards and Marzano’s research-based instructional strategies.
Professional Learning Specialist (PLS)/Induction Provider
- PLSs work in the building to offer ongoing coaching and guidance, supporting growth in instructional practices and helping to navigate the first years in education.
Evaluator/Administrator
- Building administrators offer another layer of support and guidance, helping to align practice with building-level goals and the evaluation rubric.
Host classroom/learning labs
- Teachers have the opportunity to observe highly effective classrooms across the district. These structured observation days allow alternative licensure teachers to see best practices in action, learn new strategies, and reflect on their own teaching through guided debriefs and coaching conversations.
Alternative Licensure Program Details
Seminars
Teachers engage in:
- 3 full days of seminar the summer before Year 1 and 1 day of summer seminar before Year 2.
- Monthly evening seminars (4:30–8:00 p.m.) on best practices in education, including topics like: Lesson planning and delivery, classroom management, literacy interventions, mathematical reasoning, Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), common formative assessments, Restorative practices, etc.
- Instruction from content experts and leaders across the district. We believe in growing our own—our instructors are passionate educators and district leaders who understand what it means to teach in DCSD.
- 90 hours of CDE-mandated English Language Development (ELD) instruction integrated across the two years. 45 hours of a mandatory online course are completed asynchronously during the summer between year 1 and year 2.
Alternative Licensure FAQs
- How can I be accepted into the Alternative Licensure Program?
- When can I enroll?
- Are there specific positions that qualify for Alternative Licensure?
- Does the position have to be full time?
- What are the costs associated?
- How can I prepare?
- Can charter schools participate?
How can I be accepted into the Alternative Licensure Program?
When can I enroll?
Are there specific positions that qualify for Alternative Licensure?
Does the position have to be full time?
What are the costs associated?
How can I prepare?
Can charter schools participate?
Questions? Contact Us!
Heather Palmer, General Education Alt Licensure
hpalmer@dcsdk12.org
Amy Allen, Special Education Alt Licensure
amy.allen@dcsdk12.org
