The Teacher Institute at La Academia (TILA) is specially designed for people who have already received an undergraduate degree, and have the desire to change their career or enhance their professional status through teacher licensure.

TILA licensure candidates are people who hope to contribute to youth and community development, as well as share their unique knowledge, expertise, and experience with others in the classroom. If you have a passion and interest in teaching and learning, the TILA program may be the right one for you.

Tuition for students who begin in August 2011 will range between $6,400 and $7,900.  The average projected "out-of-pocket" expense is $6,900 for each participant.

Fees remitted by the teacher candidate cover the cost of delivering the training program, providing mentoring and school support, professional development, and graduate level college credits. The successful completion of the year-long TILA program results in the recommendation of an Initial Colorado Teaching license that is valid for three years.

TILA works in partnership with the Denver Inner City Parish and La Academia.

The Teacher Institute at La Academia consists of three major components:

• Classroom teaching experience (where you must be a full-time teacher of record) that is both challenging and inspiring.
• Direct pedagogical instruction in a seminar format that offers university graduate credit.
• A reflective and research-oriented competency based portfolio.

Additional Offerings:

TILA participants receive 9 graduate credits in a cohort setting from The University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center (UCDHSC). These 9 credits transfer into the Literacy, Language, and Culturally Responsive Teaching Master's program at UCDHSC.