The Douglas County Alternative Licensure Teacher (ALT) Program exists to support the learning and growth of any teacher enrolled in the program for the benefit of student achievement.  Our program serves new teachers to the field, seeking a second career from the business industry.  It also serves teachers who have been teaching in formal and informal roles seeking formal Colorado Department of Education teacher licensure.  It is a requirement that you are hired, in a teaching position, in Douglas County School District to participate in this opportunity.

Our mission is to support all teachers regardless of years of experience.  Teachers enrolled in the ALT program will refine their philosophy around learning and growing as practitioners for the benefit of all students.  The program aims to meet each teacher at their current state, providing differentiated choice and options to further growth while meeting mandates under the designated agency status and the Colorado Teacher Quality Standards used for all teacher preparation programs.

Our goal is to align to support so that each teacher enrolled is immersed in growth in teaching and learning.  District, school and peer coaching are key elements of this alternative licensure program.  Our hope is that the alternative licensure teacher will form bonds with their mentors, peers and district coaches to become a community of learners to support students and engage in continuous improvement cycles.

The ALT program is a two year program for general education. Typical enrollment begins July 1 of the school year the teacher is hired.  This means that a teacher who enrolls in the summer prior to the school year starting, will complete the program over the course of two school years, culminating in May.  Other enrollees entering ALT during the course of a school year, will be on a two-year calendar cycle.

Monthly seminars, two times a month after school hours, are an opportunity for individuals in the DCSD Alternative Licensure Program to come together as a community of learners to learn, collaborate, converse, and develop themselves as reflective practitioners.  Seminars have been designed to address the following ALT Program Outcomes:

•       Engage fully to integrate new learning and information into practice
•       Build collegial relationships through a professional learning community
•       Development of reflective practitioner mindset to benefit professional growth
•       Implement and effectively use planning, instruction, assessment using research informed practices in the classroom

Learning Lab days are another opportunity for ALT program participants to engage in new learning, develop reflective practice, build relationships, and implement new learning. Learning Lab Days occur twice throughout the school year, once per semester.  On Learning Lab days, each individual is offered various classrooms to visit in order to observe and learn from other teachers.  After observing, participants come together to reflect on the observations and develop next steps for their practice.

You will find more information on the website about this amazing opportunity. Please contact the DCSD Alternative Licensure Coordinator regarding any questions.