Orientation Week: The program begins near the end of July or the first week of August with orientation week. This is an essential time for building community, covering program expectations, and going over foundational concepts to set candidates up for the year ahead. Following orientation week, candidates begin with their host school, working with their mentor teacher to prepare for the arrival of students later in the month. This involves setting up the classroom environment, preparing materials, and attending school and district trainings. General Overview: During the school week, teacher candidates are working a full-time schedule in their host classroom co-teaching alongside their mentor teacher in the residency model or serving as the teacher-of-record, assistant or paraeducator in the employee model. Each Saturday, the cohort comes together for what is called “Saturday Seminar”. A typical seminar day consists of three presentations or lessons to cover various aspects of teaching and learning. These sessions are facilitated by Friends TPP program staff and a wide variety of teaching professionals including university professors, specialists, school administrators, teachers, retired teachers, and other experts in the field. These weekly presentations in conjunction with 4 licensure core courses make up the required coursework for teacher licensure. Semester 1: During the first semester, teacher candidates will have three major assignments to complete: the Child Study assignment, Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum paper, and ongoing written reflections that continue on into the second semester as a part of the Teaching as a Profession course. Semester 2: The second semester consists of two major assignments: continued reflections and development of an “Educational Philosophy” as part of the Teaching as a Profession course and the Thematic Unit project. The Thematic Unit involves designing and teaching at least 10 lessons around a theme. Beginning in as early as January, the TPP begins to provide support and resources around the job search. We hold “mock interviews” and support teacher candidates in developing resumes, cover letters, and other supplemental materials. Teacher Candidates graduate from the program around mid-May and finish out the last week or two with their host school. At that time and after passing the required state tests, they are eligible to apply for their Initial Colorado teaching license.