About the SCTiRP
The SCTiR Program is a collaborative effort of Colorado State University - Pueblo and partner school districts to recruit, prepare, and retain teacher candidates with strong academic backgrounds, skills, and experiences who do not currently fulfill all traditional licensing requirements for the state of Colorado.
Partner school districts which have submitted the program to the Colorado
Department of Education for approval are considered the Designated Agency
for the Southern Colorado Teacher in Residence Program. The Designated
Agencies for the SCTiRP are Pueblo City Schools and Pueblo District 70.
While employment with one of these districts is not required, the school of
employment must be approved and umbrellaed by one of these Designated
Agencies.
Structured on the premise that learning and teaching are both innately fluid experiences, the SCTiRP ties both of these active components of education together in a meaningful way. Through deeply rooted experiential learning, tied to significant pedagogy and supported by professional learning communities, resident teachers are trained through a meaningful integration of academic and clinical preparation. To many learners the structure of the program is a key element in the effectiveness, retention, and integration of their learning.
Candidates in the SCTiRP must meet all the criteria of a highly qualified teacher (other than the completion of a teacher education program) to be granted a Alternative Licensure Authorization. This temporary license is contingent upon academic progress in the program and a full time contract teaching at a school with approved curriculum in the state of Colorado. Like traditional teachers, potential candidates must pass a criminal background check through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university which shows academic success, and demonstrate subject competency in their area of endorsement or pass a content area assessment test approved by the state of Colorado.
The Southern Colorado Teacher in Residence Program is an intensive two year program of instruction, assessment and support structured around the Performance Based Standards for Colorado Teachers of the State Board of Education. Each resident teacher is assigned a coach through the university and mentor through the school. Teachers in Residence receive at least 100 hours of observation and support per year from these master teachers. Based on the unique experiences and background each teacher brings into the classroom, support is tailored to meet the needs of each individual resident teacher. The emphasis on effective coaching and mentorship allows teachers to substantially link experience and coursework.
Designed for nontraditional teachers, the Southern Colorado Teacher in Residence Program allows the resident teacher to earn a salary as the teacher of record while working toward an Initial Colorado Teacher License. The program allows qualified individuals, who desire to become teachers but would be unable to juggle significant adult responsibilities with the structure and restrictions of traditional teacher education programs, to enter the classroom and make a difference in education and the lives of students.
Additionally, the Southern Colorado Teacher in Residence Program is a step towards earning a master of education degree. Upon completion, resident teachers will have received at least 30 semester hours of graduate credit. The SCTiRP is a field based program designed for mature lifelong learners who desire continued academic growth.
