Teach

TeachColorado

License Information

By law, teachers must hold a current Colorado Teaching or Special Services license on or before the first day of teaching in a classroom or working with students as a special service provider issued by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). 

• For more information on licensure or to apply for your Colorado Teaching or Special Services license, visit the CDE website. If you have questions, call the CDE at (303) 866-6628.

You may also need to take a Colorado state-approved content exam. This will be determined by the type of license issued to you by the Colorado Department of Education. For up-to-date information on content exams visit the CDE Content Exam Website.

Common types of Colorado Teaching and Special Services Licenses include: 

1. Initial Teaching License: Issued to those who are a new Colorado graduate who has passed the state approved content exam (PLACE exam or PRAXIS II exam). It is valid for three years. For information on Colorado's state approved content exams please click here.

2. Interim Authorization: Issued to an out-of-state applicant (teacher, principal, and administrator) who does not have 3 years of full-time out-of-state K-12 work experience and has not passed the required Colorado content area exam. The Interim Authorization is issued for one year and is renewable once. For more information on the PLACE and PRAXIS exams please click here.

3. Professional Teaching License: Issued to an initial license holder who has completed an approved induction program, is valid for seven years and is renewable through documentation of either six semester hours of credit or 90 clock hours of activities or a combination thereof. Professional licenses are also issued to out-of- state educators who can demonstrate three or more years of continuous, successful evaluated teaching experience.

4. Alternative Teacher License:  Issued to an individual who has earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and possesses subject matter knowledge appropriate for teaching in public schools; agrees to participate in an on-the-job, one-year, alternative teacher preparation program; is valid for three years and is not renewable.  Typically, Adams 12 Five Star Schools hires Alternative Licensed Teachers in secondary hard to fill positions and Special Education. 

Our staff grows through professional learning opportunities: 

With a dedication to student learning at all levels, our caring staff is committed to the best professional practice and a collective responsibility that leads to all roles playing a part in the success of our students. 

Professional learning services:

The Professional Learning Department supports student success and serves as a catalyst for change by providing continuous learning for all employees. 

Induction program:

Trained mentors offer support and guidance to all newly licensed employees. During this two-year program, mentors help new certified staff form and grow successful professional habits for the purpose of increasing student achievement. 

Instructional Coaches: 

Instructional coaches serve as instructional specialists, curriculum specialists, data coaches and change agents to support educator growth for the purpose of  increasing student achievement. 

University partnerships:

The district has teamed up with local colleges and universities to help staff who wish to receive a master’s degree, an educator’s license, job-related training or mentoring. 

Building mentors:

In addition to the mentors available through the Induction Program, trained building mentors can help experienced teachers new to the Five Star District.

Application process

STEP 1: Submit student teaching application to the college or university (follow the college/university process).

STEP 2: The College or University will submit a request to Human Resources at HR-Human-Resources@adams12.org. 

A complete application includes:

• Student teaching application from your college or university (if applicable)
• Resume
• Transcripts (unofficial copies accepted)

  • Applicants may redact information that identifies the individual's age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an education institution on application materials, including copies of certifications, transcripts, and other materials requested at the time of initial employment application.

(All documents should be emailed to be considered.)

STEP 3: Human Resources then attempts to make the requested placement(s).

STEP 4: The Principal, and potential cooperating teacher, may call and request an interview or more information from the student teacher prior to accepting placement.

STEP 5: Human Resources will contact the college or university to notify whether the student teacher placement has been made.

STEP 6: Once the student teacher has been placed, they will need to apply online to the District Guest Teacher posting and apply for a one-year or three-year substitute authorization through the Colorado Department of Education.

STEP 7: Start of student teaching experience.

• Classified Substitutes: a flexible position that replaces a classroom paraprofessional, non‐instructional paraprofessional or clerical position. No teaching license is required.
• Daily Guest Teachers (traditional substitute teachers): a flexible position where you choose the hours, days and school you wish to work at when teachers are absent.
• In-Building Guest Teachers: a full-time position where you stay in one school for the entire school year and rotate through classrooms as needed when teachers are absent. This position is unique as it offers a predictable and stable schedule where you'll work the same hours and at the same school every day. Plus, you'll be eligible to receive health and dental insurance.

Find out more!

Newly hired licensed educators are placed on Certified/Licensed Salary Schedule except for the named Special Service Providers below.  All certified/licensed salary schedules below are the tentative schedules for the 2026-27 School Year.

• 2026-27 Certified/Licensed Salary Schedule 

• 2026-27 Audiologist Salary Schedule 

• 2026-27 Occupational Therapist Salary Schedule

• 2026-27 Physical Therapist Salary Schedule

• 2026-27 School Nurse Salary Schedule

• 2026-27 School Psychologist Salary Schedule

• 2026-27 Speech Language Pathologist Salary Schedule

• 2026-27 High School Counselor 195-Day Salary Schedule

Benefits Overview

Pilot Salary Schedule (Thornton Elementary and Thornton Middle School) Effective August 1, 2025. For more information about the Pilot Salary Schedule, please email hr-human-resources@adams12.org.

Pilot Schools - Job Descriptions:

• Pilot Program Building Teacher Leader
• Pilot Program Early Career Teacher
• Pilot Program Professional Teacher