Colorado Future Educator Honor Roll
The Colorado Future Educator Honor Roll celebrates the state’s top teacher candidates. Congratulations to our students honored at this year’s virtual event!
- 2022 Future Educator Honor Roll Program: Learn more about this year's awardees.
- Event Program/Certificates
- Future educator videos
- Watch the virtual event, held May 5, 2022
Become a Future Educator
Thank you for your interest in becoming an educator in the state of Colorado. Colorado schools are vibrant, rewarding and outstanding places to work and teach. All licensure processes in Colorado are directed by the Colorado Department of Education - and several useful websites related to obtaining licensure in Colorado are listed below. Please review the following pages and explore the educational opportunities throughout our beautiful state.
Resources and Stipends
Student Educator/Counselor Stipend Program
The student educator stipend program awards money to an eligible student to compensate them for their clinical experience in an academic residency position. Candidates placed in a 16-week academic residency may receive a stipend of up to $11,000, and those in a 32-week academic residency may receive a stipend of up to $22,000. Read the fact sheet. Learn more in the FAQ.
Student Educator Test Stipend Program
The educator test stipend program awards stipend money to approved preparation programs to reduce financial barriers for eligible students preparing for the assessment(s) of professional competencies required for licensure. Read the fact sheet. Learn more in the FAQ.
TEACH Colorado
Are you a future Colorado educator? TEACH Colorado wants to help you on your journey to the classroom! The program provides future teachers with free support, including:
- One-on-one coaching and licensure guidance from current educators
- Profiles of Colorado's teacher preparation programs and school districts
- $100 application fee reimbursements and $1,000 scholarships
- How-to guides: Eligibility, applications, testing, and finances
TEACHColorado.org also includes information on Colorado's unique education landscape, including rural education, the alternative licensure pathway, and the Troops to Teachers program. Subscribe here today!
CDHE Rural Teaching Fellowship
The fellowship is a year-long clinical experience for teacher candidates in the final year of their teacher preparation programs jointly designed by rural local education providers (rural schools/districts/BOCES/charter schools) and educator preparation programs (EPP) at institutes of higher education. The rural teaching fellowship stipend is $10,000 —The Colorado Department of Higher Education contributes 50 percent and the institute of higher education contributes 50 percent through the candidate’s financial aid package. Read the fact sheet and review the fellowship agreement.
Colorado Free ECE Coursework
In partnership with the Office of Early Childhood within the Colorado Department of Human Services, the Colorado Department of Higher Education is collaborating with the Colorado Community College system and public institutions of higher education to pay the tuition for ECE 101 and 103 (excluding fees and at the Community College System rate) for students who need these courses to meet minimum child care licensing qualification requirements for early childhood teacher. Access informational documents with more information below.
Stipends for those Serving Rural Districts
Stipends are available for Colorado educators and alternative licensure candidates serving fural districts.
CDHE and the Colorado Center for Rural Education encourage talented educators and alternative licensure candidates to apply for the following stipends. For more information on each program, visit the Colorado Center for Rural Education or contact Valerie Sherman, rural education coordinator for the Colorado Center for Rural Education.
- Stipends for teachers pursuing concurrent enrollment qualifications: Current K-12 teachers in rural districts who would like to become qualified to teach Concurrent Enrollment classes may apply for a stipend for up to $6,000. This money can be used to offset tuition and fees for programs offered by one of Colorado’s institutions of higher education. Read the fact sheet.
- For students teaching in rural schools: Student teachers who are enrolled in a Colorado teacher preparation program and complete their final student teaching in a rural school are eligible for the Colorado Rural Teaching Stipend stipend up to $4000. They must commit to working in the rural school/district for three years upon completion of their preparation program. Learn more.
- Individuals interested in teaching in a rural or small rural school district: Those who enroll in an alternative licensure program may apply for the Rural Alternative Licensure Stipend (RALS). Offered by the Colorado Center for Rural Education, this stipend provides recipients with up to $6,000 to pay for a variety of alternative licensure program-related expenses (e.g., Alternative Licensure program-, PRAXIS-, Alternative License-, Initial License-, technology- and travel-related costs). Learn more.
National Board Teacher Certification
In an effort to address teacher shortages in the state, the Colorado Department of Higher Education is responsible for leading the work to recruit and retain teachers in rural areas. National Board Certification is an opportunity to retain excellent in-service teachers by honoring the hard work that teachers do to become certified and act as leaders in their field. Read the fact sheet.
NBCT Stipends: Selected members of a Colorado Rural National Board cohort can receive a $3,975 stiped as they receive support and mentorship from NBCT facilitators. The value of the stipend covers (a) enrolling with the National Board; (b) registering for each of the four components of the NB portfolio; and (c) participating in the Rural National Board Cohort. For more information, visit the Colorado Center for Rural Education or contact Valerie Sherman, rural education coordinator for the Colorado Center for Rural Education.