Colorado
Changemakers Come to Colorado
Home to unparalleled natural beauty and a flourishing economy, it is no wonder Colorado is one of the fastest growing states in the country. With a pioneering spirit dating back to the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, Colorado has long attracted fearless, innovative leaders and entrepreneurs eager to play an active role in moving the state forward.
Even so, the natural beauty and booming job market mask deep and longstanding educational inequity. Known as the "Colorado Paradox," our state attracts college graduates at higher rates than nearly any other, but ranks 50th in the nation when it comes to our own high school graduates continuing on to college. With more than half of Colorado jobs predicted to require higher education skills in the coming decade, tens of thousands of local students will continue to be denied access to opportunity around them.
Our Impact in Colorado
The opportunity to reimagine public education is now. Since 2007, Teach For America has helped shape the education system in Colorado, driving dramatic improvements for kids. From gubernatorial candidates to teachers in the classroom, Teach For America's impact in Colorado Springs and Pueblo grows larger every year. In Denver, our members have a deep presence in 75 percent of high-poverty, high-performing schools and account for one in ten teachers and one in five school leaders.
Since our launch of the Denver region in 2007, 50,000 students in Denver (up from 10,000) have access to performing schools. Such progress is impressive, but it has not been enough for the 40,000 Denver students who remain in underperforming schools. The next phase of innovation will require bold leaders, and that’s where you fit in.
Communities Where We Work
Denver
Denver
Since the inaugural corps in 2007, Denver has become the fastest improving large urban district in the country. Ten percent of teachers and twenty percent of school leaders in Denver Public Schools are Teach For America members. Even more go on to inform critical education systems. Seventy-five percent of high poverty, high-performing schools have a prominent Teach For America presence.
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Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs
Home to Colorado’s second largest corps and alumni network, Colorado Springs residents have a special pride for their community. In just five years, Teach For America’s teacher and school leader presence has increased from 25 to over 130 and the on-time graduation rate in the community’s poorest school district, Harrison School District 2, has increased from 65 percent to 80 percent.
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Pueblo
Pueblo
Teach For America is working to spearhead a shared vision for equity in Pueblo, our youngest placement community, and is increasingly seen as the connector among organizations driving social change and lifting vulnerable communities. The strength of community in Pueblo is not just limited to our partners; the sense of small town connection pulls our Pueblo Teach For America members together in a powerful way.
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Almost
150
corps members are teaching in Colorado this school year.
Nearly
1800
alumni changemakers are taking on leadership at all levels in Colorado.
Approximately
36K
students in Colorado are taught by TFA teachers every day.
Almost
150
corps members are teaching in Colorado this school year.
Nearly
1800
alumni changemakers are taking on leadership at all levels in Colorado.
Approximately
36K
students in Colorado are taught by TFA teachers every day.
Teaching Certification and Graduate School
Colorado supports corps members in obtaining their initial teaching license in the state through required professional development and close partnership with our two licensing partners, Relay and ASPIRE. Both partners also offer optional Master’s degree programs that corps members can complete during their second year of service.
Corps members that receive certification through the University of Colorado – Denver’s ASPIRE to Teach program will pay $6,750 for professional development and licensing coursework over the course of their first year in the corps. Corps members will pay a $250 deposit when they enroll, and the remaining balance of $6,500 will be due in October of their first year in the corps. AmeriCorps education awards cannot be applied towards this cost.
Corps members can then enroll in an optional Master’s program in their second year of the corps through the University of Colorado - Denver. This program is fully online, and corps members will earn their Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction: Critical Pedagogy.
Through the Relay Graduate School of Education, corps members can choose to enroll in a 4-term alternative licensure program or a 2-year Master's of Arts in Teaching program. After application of AmeriCorps education awards each year, the total out of pocket cost will be between $5,000 and $5,300 each year for these programs.
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