Getting your player ready...
“I thought I had missed my opportunity to follow my passion for education,” explained Jennifer Nelson in front of a packed crowd of career changers at Andrew Hudson’s “Reinvent Event” on a recent evening. “But when I found Denver Teacher Residency, I finally saw a way to put my passion to work.”
For job seekers looking to follow their heart and their calling, with a little work and research, career changers can find similar training programs right for them. Like thousands of Denverites considering career changes, Jennifer worked in a family-owned construction business for over 10 years, taking a break to raise her children. As her children grew to be school age, she realized that education needed to become her new family business.
“I was fortunate to find a program that provided me with the opportunity to get on-the-job-training, traditional schooling, and get me into doing what I’ve always wanted to do.” Jennifer continued, “Not only am I a teacher now, I feel that this program gave me the head start and tools I needed to compete in a field that I entered later in life than many.”
The Denver Teacher Residency (DTR) is a relatively new program in Denver Public Schools that encourages people with professional success but limited or no teaching experience to transition into the classroom to increase student achievement. “I am surprised by how much my people management and communication skills from my previous career help in the classroom and to facilitate student learning,” remarked Jennifer.
The DTR program offers aspiring teachers a year-long apprenticeship in a classroom alongside a mentor teacher, coupled with a MA from the University of Denver tailored to meet the unique needs of DPS. Residents have come from all different careers and backgrounds to train as teachers in Elementary (K-5 English and/or Spanish); Special (K-12 English and/or Spanish); or Secondary Math/Science Education (6-12). In exchange for their commitment to DPS, 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, full tuition reimbursement, and a teaching position in Denver Public Schools. To learn more, attend the next DTR information session on Dec. 6, 2011. RSVP and apply at www.DenverTeacherResidency.org.
The DTR program offers aspiring teachers a year-long apprenticeship in a classroom alongside a mentor teacher, coupled with a MA from the University of Denver tailored to meet the unique needs of DPS. Residents have come from all different careers and backgrounds to train as teachers in Elementary (K-5 English and/or Spanish); Special (K-12 English and/or Spanish); or Secondary Math/Science Education (6-12). In exchange for their commitment to DPS, 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, full tuition reimbursement, and a teaching position in Denver Public Schools. To learn more, attend the next DTR information session on Dec. 6, 2011. RSVP and apply at www.DenverTeacherResidency.org.
