Field Placement

School Partnerships

Field experiences are an essential part of preparing to become an educator. Through field placement, UNC teacher candidates have the opportunity to connect what they learn in their courses with authentic experiences in schools and classrooms. The University of Northern Colorado’s Educator Preparation Programs work closely with school and district partners to create meaningful, supportive field experiences for our candidates while building strong partnerships with educators and communities.

UNC’s Promise to Partner Schools and Districts:

  • Make the experience positive
  • Work with schools to create flexible partnerships that help both schools and teacher candidates
  • Offer free professional development speakers to schools with many UNC teacher candidates, based on our faculty’s expertise
  • Keep field placement requests and supervision consistent
  • Give regular updates and ask for partner feedback on program changes
  • Follow respectful and ethical practices to build trust and teamwork

Leading the next generation of Educators

An early childhood education class is in line having fun in the hallway
Elementary Education books sitting on a shelf
teacher teaching math in front of highschool students

Potential School Districts for Field Placement:

If you do not know where to request your student teaching placement, please consider the following options. Remember, you may not student teach in a school where you have a relative working or attending. You can also explore the Colorado Department of Education website for information on all Colorado Schools.

Explore the Colorado Department of Education Website

Candidates with a declared CLD endorsement must student teach in a school with some CLD student population. Candidates who have declared both a CLD and a Bi-Lingual/Bi-Cultural endorsement, must student teach in a classroom with some CLD students.

Strategic School Partnerships

The following schools are part of a strategic partnership with UNC’s Educator Preparation programs. If you select one of these districts for placement, you are guaranteed a placement in that district, which will be confirmed typically within a few weeks.

  • Douglas County School District
  • Frontier Academy (Charter school in Greeley/Evans School District)
  • Greeley/Evans School District 6
  • Platte Valley School District
  • St. Vrain School District
  • Windsor School District

No Contact Districts

Please do not contact any of these school districts, schools within these districts or any school personnel in these districts for placement, per their policy:

  • Academy School District 20
  • Adams 12
  • Cherry Creek Schools
  • District 27J
  • Greeley/Evans School District 6
  • Jefferson County Schools
  • Littleton Public Schools
  • Poudre School District
  • Thompson Valley School District
  • Windsor School District

School Districts Requiring Special Application

If a teacher candidate intends to seek placement at one of the following schools/districts, a special application is required. Please see the list of districts below, click on the district name to view the application or their website.

Greeley-Evans District 6

Greeley-Evans District 6 requires you to submit an on-line application directly to the District. When you reach Position Desired page, scroll down and select “Substitute (guest teacher)”. The application includes Teacher Insight assessments, which takes a few minutes to complete.

STEM School Highlands Ranch

STEM School Highlands Ranch supports teacher candidates for full-year field experiences. The school partners with UNC to host candidates for fall practicum experiences followed by full time student teaching in the spring semester. An additional application is required. Once on the site, click on the STEM Residency Program.

Questions? Contact Us!