Montessori Casa International is seeking intern candidates to participate in our teacher preparation program in the field of Early Childhood Education. MCI Denver offers this unique experience in conjunction with the Stanley British Primary School Teacher Preparation Program.

Stanley British Primary School is unique in Colorado in being both a K-8 school and a teacher training center. MCI Denver works directly with Stanley British Primary School to offer intern experience in Early Childhood Education. Each year up to thirty teacher interns participate in the Stanley BPS Teacher Preparation Program. Intern teachers work full time in the classroom alongside mentor teachers in a junior partnership role.

Interns gain an understanding of experience-based, developmentally appropriate education. They take on steadily increasing responsibilities as their skills and confidence grow. Intern teachers start the year working with small groups of children and end the year capable of managing the entire class.

With on-going feedback and support from their mentor teachers and educational advisors, interns participate in all aspects of the teaching process. They learn to help children with a wide range of abilities and share in celebrating diversity within the classroom.

TEACHER LICENSURE
The Stanley British Primary School Teacher Preparation Program, in conjunction with the State Department of Education, offers a Colorado Early Childhood Education Licensure (Certification) Program to MCI Denver intern teachers. Interns enrolled in the certification program receive credit for working full time in the classroom. In addition, interns take 225 clock hours of course work on Thursdays throughout the school year. MCI students receive credit for their Montessori course work – half the coursework is credited towards the licensure.

MASTER'S DEGREE OPTION
Interns also have the option of receiving graduate credit hours for their work in the classroom and the course work sessions. Interns may enroll in a Master's degree program, which is offered through our partnership with the University of Colorado at Denver. There is a choice of applying for either the Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education or Master of Arts in Educational Psychology.

PAYMENT/EXPENSES
Interns are paid a stipend and receive some benefits. Please call for details.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT APPLYING?
Coursework and Testing Requirements
From the Colorado Department of Education
• A passing test score on the PLACE (Program for Licensing Assessments for Colorado Educators) exam
• Completed coursework at the college level in the following subject areas:*
English Literature and Composition (3 semester hrs. of each)
Math Any two courses (6 semester hrs.)
Science - any two courses (6 semester hrs.)
Social Studies Two courses (3 semester hrs. each) from the following:
history, psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics,
geography, political science
Fine Arts Art, Music, Dance, or Drama (3 semester hrs.)
P.E. or Health (3 semester hours)
*For additional information please e-mail: educator.lisencing@cde.state.co.us
Phone: 303-866-6628

PLEASE BEGIN THE DEPT. OF EDUCATION LICENSING PROCESS NOW BY TAKING THE FOLLOWING TWO STEPS:
1. SIGN UP FOR THE PLACE TEST
*Please note the PLACE test is the only State Board of Education-approved content assessment for Early Childhood Education K-8.
You can register online at www.place.nesinc.com

2. APPLY TO THE STATE FOR THE ALTERNATIVE TEACHER LICENSE
Please access the website of the Colorado Dept. of Education and request an application for the Alternative Teacher License (or pick one up from their office). The State requires this one-year license to work in an Alternative Licensure Program. Go to: www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/wizard_alt1.asp and look for the heading, “Application Request” at the bottom of the page. Send in your application and indicate “early childhood” as your content area in which you wish to be evaluated. Your transcript will be reviewed and you will receive approval to be hired as an alternative teacher or “intern.” They will notify you if any additional coursework is required.
*Coursework Requirements
If you currently have not taken all the required coursework, you may fulfill this requirement by either taking a 3 credit hour course from any accredited college or you may “test out” by taking the CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) test in the subject area needed. Information can be found online by doing a search on CLEP test. Please make up any deficiency as soon as possible. Note that “life skills” are also taken into consideration by the State review board as well as high school AP classes. Please provide a copy of your transcripts along with your application.

How to Apply: Mail, FAX or e-mail your resume, references, transcripts and a reply to the essay question: Select and describe a few experiences and relationships in your background which you feel have been significant in your development as a person going into the field of early childhood education.

Contact Person: Valency Gorman, Program Coordinator
1301 Quebec Street, Denver, CO 80230
Phone: 303-333-9154 Ext. 302     Fax: 303- 333-9187
E-Mail: valencyg@hotmail.com