After being a school social worker for 13 years, Jennifer decided to make a change and become a Special Education Teacher.  She was interested in TILA's program for Special Education teaching licenses.

The TILA classes were helpful and relevent as I made my journey through my first year teaching.  It was also helpful to have the support of my teachers and fellow first year teachers. - Jennifer Blom, TILA Graduate

Ten years ago, Allison began her career working with youth in different high needs neighborhoods and less-fortunate countries.  She was a mentor, an instructor, a supervisor, and director for several different programs.  As she worked with these young people and families, her desire to become an educator grew.  She searched for several programs that would help her as well as believing in same values as she did.  She wanted to be a part of a program that valued diversity and multicultural education.  She wanted to be in a program that "walked the walk", she felt immediately connected with TILA.

I learned how to be a great teacher.  I learned that I could have a voice in creating change.  The program allowed me to be a part of a picture in education and learn the necessary language and strategies to be effective.  The program was demanding and challenging and I have grown not only as an educator, but as a person. - Allison Gunnells, 2011 TILA Graduate

It was during college that Sarah discovered her passion for teaching.  After graduating from Trinity College in 2009 with a degree in French and Philosophy, and with only a month long intensive in Teaching English as a Second Language, she left for Tunisia to teach in an international school.  She quickly discovered that she was "overwhelmed and uprepared for teaching", so she decided to get her teacher's license.

The Alternative Licensure Program at TILA was perfect for me - it's a flexible, intense program, and with all that learning, I never had to step into my classroom unprepared again. TILA helped me re-discover the passion for teaching after my first unsuccessful attempt. - Sarah Jenkins, 2011 TILA Graduate

Sarah is currently teaching English Language Development at the Lotus School for Excellence, a charter school in Aurora, CO.

After attending Colorado State University, Beth accepted a position at a residential treatment facility.  Prior to her working in the school setting, she worked there for five years as a treatment counselor.  In 2008, the agency offered her a position as a paraprofessional at their on-grounds school.  This is where she realized her love and passion for educating students.  Beth wanted to continue to work with those children who have been faced with trauma and abuse.  So when she decided to pursue her teaching license, her focus was on Special Education.  While enrolled in TILA, Beth was given the opportunity to have a classroom of her own and teach the curriculum to the elementary self-contained classroom at Shiloh Home Inc.  She contributes her professional growth and newly developed teaching strategies to the extraordinary staff and coursework that was provided to her in TILA.

Attending an alternative licensing program provided me the chance to further my knowledge to help teach and represent students with special needs. Thanks to the wonderful staff and support at TILA, I feel that I have developed a better understanding of my students and how to reach ultimate success in the classroom. - Elizabeth Ramirez, 2011 TILA Graduate

After having experience in teaching in private Montessori schools and heading into the world of public Montessori schools, Erin wanted to broaden her education background to better serve her students.

TILA proved to be the perfect fit for me; their stance on best practices and meeting the needs of the individual students matched well with my Montessori background, and I found I was able to immediately incorporate so many of the tools, strategies, and ideas learned from TILA into my own classroom. - Erin Oliver, 2011 TILA Graduate

Erin believes that TILA helped her become a better teacher.

After working for a foster agency, Denise Wright realized a passion for teaching and working with children.

With a degree in psychology and business from the University of Colorado (2005), she went back to school to earn her teaching license. However, Denise discovered she would need more than her general education license to be a successful teacher.

Denise believes TILA has provided her with the education and experience needed to reach all students regardless of learning ability.

Ben discovered his passion for special education as a paraprofessional in 2008.

With a degree in English from University of Minnesota Duluth (2005), Ben pursued licensing as a SPED professional by enrolling in the TILA program.

Ben found TILA’s curriculum was perfectly suited to the ever-evolving education community and provided functional, practical classroom strategies.

TILA graduate, Nicole LeGrand, works in the Peace Corps is as a Teacher/Literacy Trainer in the Republic of Vanuatu.

Starting his journey as a para-professional at a charter school, Adam Paulson’s passion for teaching led him to the Alternative Licensure Program to pursue his certification.

Six years after completing the Program, Adam Paulson is now an 8th Grade History instructor in Southern California. For his current success, he credits the program’s rigorous portfolio work, on the job training, mentorship and focus on reflection. He especially appreciated the emphasis on educational leadership.

Mr. Paulson is currently completing a Masters program in Education Administration at the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education in Los Angeles, California. He is excited to accomplish the next milestone in his educational career and remains thankful for the opportunity to participate in the Alternative Licensure Program.

In 2006, avid mountain climbers, Brenda and her husband moved from New Hampshire to Colorado.

Already having a Massachusetts teaching license and four years teaching at an outdoor education center, Brenda needed to obtain a Colorado License. She chose TILA’s Alternative Licensure program.

After four years as an environmental instructor in Minnesota and New York State, Heidi Smith decided to give teaching elementary school science a shot.

“(My experience as an environmental instructor) was a natural training course. Making sure that 25 students made it up and down a 7,000 foot mountain is a lot like trying to manage a group of first graders!“

Heidi is currently teaching at Pioneer Charter School, where she uses her TILA training everyday.