Getting your player ready...
While many school districts across Colorado have been in the news for severe budget shortfalls and staffing reductions, Denver Public Schools (DPS) made the headlines for being in the unique position of hiring nearly 500 new teachers for classroom openings for the 2011-12 school year.
Even as the job market continues to fluctuate, the need for teachers continues to grow steadily. Not only is DPS seeking more teachers, but the more specialized skills a teacher has, e.g. bilingual, special education, or secondary math, the more likely he/she will be sought after. Denver, like many urban cities, struggles to find strong candidates to meet the intense hiring demand. One of the ways that DPS is answering this challenge is by offering innovative ways into the teaching profession, including the Denver Teacher Residency. This specialized program offers aspiring teachers a way to learn to teach through a year-long preparation in a classroom with hands-on practice alongside a mentor teacher, coupled with a Master of Arts degree from the University of Denver tailored to meet the unique needs of DPS. In a recent visit to Denver, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said, “Nothing makes a greater difference to student learning than great teaching. That is why we need to support programs like the Denver Teacher Residency that prepares talented teachers to go into the classrooms where they are needed most.” The application is currently open for the Denver Teacher Residency (DTR). Previous residents have come from all different careers and backgrounds. Residents train in Elementary (K-5 English and/or Spanish); Special (K-12 English and/or Spanish); or Secondary Math/Science Education (6-12), and also earn a master’s degree from DU. In exchange for their commitment, residents receive a $10,000 stipend during the residency year and, once hired as a teacher, earn a salary (up to $47,990 starting) with the opportunity to earn thousands more in performance-based incentives. After successfully completing the program, participants earn a teaching license and full tuition reimbursement. To learn more, attend the next DTR information session on Nov. 1, 2011, at the DPS Administration Building. RSVP and apply online at www.DenverTeacherResidency.org.
Even as the job market continues to fluctuate, the need for teachers continues to grow steadily. Not only is DPS seeking more teachers, but the more specialized skills a teacher has, e.g. bilingual, special education, or secondary math, the more likely he/she will be sought after. Denver, like many urban cities, struggles to find strong candidates to meet the intense hiring demand. One of the ways that DPS is answering this challenge is by offering innovative ways into the teaching profession, including the Denver Teacher Residency. This specialized program offers aspiring teachers a way to learn to teach through a year-long preparation in a classroom with hands-on practice alongside a mentor teacher, coupled with a Master of Arts degree from the University of Denver tailored to meet the unique needs of DPS. In a recent visit to Denver, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet said, “Nothing makes a greater difference to student learning than great teaching. That is why we need to support programs like the Denver Teacher Residency that prepares talented teachers to go into the classrooms where they are needed most.” The application is currently open for the Denver Teacher Residency (DTR). Previous residents have come from all different careers and backgrounds. Residents train in Elementary (K-5 English and/or Spanish); Special (K-12 English and/or Spanish); or Secondary Math/Science Education (6-12), and also earn a master’s degree from DU. In exchange for their commitment, residents receive a $10,000 stipend during the residency year and, once hired as a teacher, earn a salary (up to $47,990 starting) with the opportunity to earn thousands more in performance-based incentives. After successfully completing the program, participants earn a teaching license and full tuition reimbursement. To learn more, attend the next DTR information session on Nov. 1, 2011, at the DPS Administration Building. RSVP and apply online at www.DenverTeacherResidency.org.
