Certified Staff
Certified staff, including teachers and special service providers, are at the heart and soul of our district. Our staff are among the finest, most dedicated, and best-trained in Colorado. This page features a variety of resources related to the Human Resources department's commitment to investing in our teachers and our school leaders. Please feel free to contact us at 970.348.6070 with any questions.
Resources
- 2024-2025 Certified Master Contract
- 2024-2025 Certified Salary Schedule
- Certification & Loan Forgiveness Information
- Horizontal Advancement
- RANDA/Evaluation Resources
- Requesting a Substitute Teacher
- Step-Off Leadership Incentive
2024-2025 Certified Master Contract
2024-2025 Certified Salary Schedule
Certification & Loan Forgiveness Information
Educator Licensing & PRAXIS Information through CDE
CDE Educator Licensing Information
(Praxis II exam phone number is 609.771.7395; or PRAXIS@ETS.ORG)
It is strongly recommended that you begin the renewal process for your CDE License six months prior to expiration. Human Resources staff are available to provide Verification of Experience and Notarization of applicable documents. Once mailed, it will take approximately three weeks to appear in CDE's online "Status Check" where you are able to track the progress of your application. Expect three to four months for processing under normal circumstances.
National Board Certification
For Certified Personnel interested in learning more about National Board Certification Requirements. General Eligibility Prerequisites include:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Have completed three years of successful teaching.
- Have held a valid state teaching license for each of the three years of employment you verify.
Student Loan Forgiveness/Assistance Programs
We know that many new teachers have student loans from college that they need to pay off, which can be a financial burden. Thankfully, there are national programs that can assist with reducing or eliminating student loan balances. Most of these programs are for full-time teachers who work in schools/districts serving low-income students and for teachers who work in hard-to-fill positions such as special education, math, science, English language acquisitions, etc. The amount of loan forgiveness offered by these programs generally ranges from about $2,000 to $17,000. Here are a few websites worth checking into for more information:
Stafford Federal Loan Forgiveness Program
Perkins Federal Loan Forgiveness Program
Congressional Research Service Report on Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
Horizontal Advancement
The Spring 2025 HA Application Window is Now Open and closes February 1, 2025. In order to qualify, coursework must be completed by January 15th or the Friday before January 15th, 2025.
Horizontal Advancement (HA) Process
Step 1: Review the Horizontal Advancement (HA) process below. If you have any questions regarding the HA process, please refer to the Master Contract (Article XXIII) under HA or contact Human Resources at 970-348-6070.
Step 2: If applicable, request the coursework approval form (District 6 Transcript Pre-Approval Request Form) if seeking to apply District 6 transcripted credit for HA. The Pre-Approval Request is required for non-college transcripted, outside-of-D6 courses, not relevant to current assignment, credit for repeated/repetative courses, book studies, independent study, professional learning communities, building-level professional development outside of contract time and CTE, AP, AVID, and IB as related to assignment.
Step 3: Applicants will complete one Horizontal Advancement Application, filling in all sections to the best of their knowledge, and uploading the completed Horizontal Advancement Form #3 - Course Listing and corresponding transcripts.
Step 4: Complete and upload this editable course listing form (Horizontal Advancement Form #3 - Course Listing) to the Horizontal Advancement Application.
Step 5: Upload official transcripts (District 6 and or university or college) to the Horizontal Advancement Application. These must be received by the Human Resources Department by October 1. Payment will not begin until transcripts are received and verified.
Step 6: HR reviews applications. By October 15, notification of the status of the horizontal advancement submission will be emailed to the employee. Payment for full-year horizontal advancement will be retroactive to the first contract day of each school year, with the pay adjustment starting on the October paycheck.
Retain any HA communication email and or print a copy of any documents or verifications for your own records.
Online Application for Horizontal Advancement - Submit Here
Horizontal Advancement Deadlines
Window #1 Deadlines:
September 15: all coursework must be completed.
October 1: verification of coursework and transcripts due (college/university and/or D6).
October 1-15: HR review verification of coursework and transcripts.
October 15: email status of horizontal advancement. If awarded, retroactive to the start of the current school year contract.
Window #2 Deadlines:
January 15: all coursework must be completed.
February 1: verification of coursework and transcripts due (college/university and/or D6).
February 1-15: HR review verification of coursework and transcripts.
February 15: email status of horizontal advancement. If awarded, effective March 2024.
Please note: Courses not relevant to current assignment or earned grades of D, F, or unsatisfactory will not be honored for horizontal advancement. Failure to submit all correct transcripts and or forms sent after deadlines will not be considered for horizontal advancement window.
Master Contract (ARTICLE XXIII: Horizontal Advancement)
ARTICLE XXIII
HORIZONTAL ADVANCEMENT ON THE SALARY SCHEDULE
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Transcripted credits from the university or junior college level count toward horizontal advancement. (2019)
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Quarters or other credits awarded by universities/junior colleges will be converted to semester credit at the standard rate of conversion. Each one (1) quarter credit equals two thirds (.67) semester credit.
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Upon final submission of transcripts for an advanced degree, the transcript must show the degree and date conferred.
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District 6 Professional Development courses may be offered during or outside of the teacher contract (work) day. Each course occurring outside the teacher contract day shall result in professional development credits at the rate of one-half (.5) semester credit for each seven and one half (7 1/2) clock hours. District 6 professional development courses occurring outside the teacher contract day may also be eligible for compensation.
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Pre-approval may be required for additional CTE endorsements, non-college transcripted / outside D6 courses, building level professional development outside contract time, other professional development not related to your assignment, credit for repetitive and repeated courses, book study, independent study or PLC, or CTE, AP, AVID, and IB -related to assignment.
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The District 6 Course Approval Form should be completed and submitted prior to taking the course for horizontal advancement. Notification of coursework approval or denial shall be made to the employee within 10 (ten) contract days of submission.
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All expectations for time and responsibilities. as well as the credit and compensation, related to a course shall be clearly stated in the course description and on the registration form.
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Coursework Approval form is not necessary for college transcript, advanced degrees or endorsements that are relevant to a future assignment, supervisor requested courses impacting the employee’s evaluation, approved professional development (not including repeated course titles), national board certification, first aid/CPR/CPI (initial for all staff 7-hour course)
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Once hours are approved, they are banked and can be used for horizontal advancement. Employees on the BA, BA15, and BA30, may bank up to 15 hours so that educators have an incentive to continue PD during the time in which they get their MA, which were not part of their MA program requirements for use toward the MA15 when or after the MA is conferred. Courses taken outside of the District must be approved and banked prior to the date the advanced degree is conferred. This applies only to individuals who move to an MA column after July 1st, 2004. (Revised 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007/2008, 2017, 2022, 2023)
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There will be two opportunities for horizontal advancement on the Salary Schedule. For each year you intend to move horizontally, all forms must be submitted in the proper sequential order within a twelve (12) month period. (2017) Human resources will communicate the horizontal advancement deadlines electronically during the month of August and December prior to each window. (2024)
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Eligible employees can move multiple columns during horizontal advancement, but they will have only one payment adjustment per contract year.
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Window #1
- In order to qualify, coursework must be completed by September 15th or the Friday before September 15th.
- The coursework approval form (District 6 Transcript Pre Approval Form-if applicable), the horizontal advancement course listing (Verification of Coursework Form), and transcripts (District 6 and/or University/College) must be received by the Human Resources Department by October 1. Payment will not begin until transcripts are received and verified.
- By October 15, notification of the status of the horizontal advancement submission will be emailed to the employee.
- Payment for full-year horizontal advancement will be retroactive to the first contract day of each school year, with the pay adjustment starting on the October paycheck.
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Window #2
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In order to qualify, coursework must be completed by January 15th or the Friday before January 15th.
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The coursework approval form (District 6 Course Pre Approval Form-if applicable), the horizontal advancement coursework form (Verification of Coursework Form), and transcripts (D6 and/or University/College) must be submitted by February 1, or the Friday before February 1. Payment will not begin until transcripts are received and verified.
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By February 15, notification of the status of the horizontal advancement submission will be emailed to the employee.
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Payment for half-year horizontal advancement will be made from March through August. (2014, 2017, 2021, 2023)
RANDA/Evaluation Resources
Learning to Use RANDA
- RANDA ORIENTATION POWERPOINT
- D6 EVALUATION HANDBOOK
- TEACHER-SSP EVALUATION GUIDE (PINK SHEET)
- MSL DATA MODELS BREAKOUT K-12 2024-2025
- MSL DATA MODELS BREAKOUT SSP'S AND PRESCHOOL 2024-2025
State Level Resources
- STATE MODEL EVALUATION SYSTEM RESOURCES
- RESOURCE GUIDE FOR DEEPENING UNDERSTANDING OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES
- FAQ'S FOR RANDA
RANDA Rubrics
Requesting a Substitute Teacher
Step-Off Leadership Incentive
Step-Off Leadership Incentive Plan
This plan is an option for employees who are currently on the MA60/EDS, or EDD/PhD, and Step 25 and would otherwise be frozen in the following year.
To honor the continuing good work you do to improve the lives of students and colleagues, your building, our District, and yourself as a professional, the plan allows you to earn the equivalent of 1/4 of a horizontal advancement each year. This amounts to a permanent, ongoing salary increase of approximately 0.625%, in addition to raises added to the schedule. Eligible employees may earn one incentive each year.
INCENTIVE REQUIREMENTS:
- 3 Semester Credits of coursework and/or District Professional Development Credits (1 Semester Credit = 15 "seat hours"; 3 Semester Credits = 45 "seat hours")
OR
- Individual project(s) utilizing your experience and expertise. Approximately 22-23 hours (half the "seat hours" of 3 Semester Credits)
OR
- A combination of coursework and project(s). For example:
- 1 Semester Credit plus project(s) of approximately 15 hours
- 2 Semester Credit plus project(s) of approximately 7-8 hours
Your coursework and/or projects will be done in the year preceding the year the salary advancement is to be awarded. You are, of course, not limited to these minimums, and projects may be a continuation of the great work you are already doing. You are encouraged to consult with your principal and take into account the needs of your building. *Projects should not create ongoing financial obligation for the building.
PROCESS:
- In the fall of the year preceding the year the salary advancement is to be awarded, decide on coursework and/or project(s).
- Complete STEP-OFF LEADERSHIP PLAN FORM # 1 by the last day of the first semester in the year preceding the year the salary incentive is to be awarded.
- If you are getting approval from your principal/supervisor, have them send an email to Matt Thompson in human resources (mthompson@greeleyschools.org) by the last day of the first semester in the year preceding the year the salary incentive is to be awarded.
- Complete the coursework and/or project(s) prior to September 15 in the year the salary advancement will be awarded.
- Complete STEP-OFF LEADERSHIP FORM #2 and have your principal send an email to human resources confirming completion by October 1 for salary advancement. If you completed coursework, then submit your official transcript to Matt Thompson in human resources (mthompson@greeleyschools.org) by October 1.
EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE PROJECTS:
- Teach a professional development course, either at your building or district-wide (if you are doing this as step-off, the PD stipend is not available)
- Mentor new teachers new to your team or by principal request
- Work with the building professional development team to assist teachers with follow-up implementation
- Design a project intended to improve parent(s) guardian(s) engagement with their child and the school
- Design a project to increase performance on standardized assessments.
If you have questions, or want input on a project idea, please review the Master Contract (Article XXIX) and/or please contact Human Resources: (970) 348-6070 or mthompson@greeleyschools.org.
Annette Overton, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources
Erin Snyder, Greeley Education Association President