Denver Public Schools believes that student success is tied directly to teacher excellence. This philosophy is the motivation behind the Denver Teacher Residency, a program through which DPS recruits and cultivates aspiring teachers who seek to be agents of change in a progressive urban school district.

The Denver Teacher Residency offers teacher candidates an alternative route to a career in education, providing them the training and instruction necessary to help them become exceptional teachers. Through a strategic combination of clinical classroom experience in urban, high-needs DPS elementary schools, apprenticeships with skilled DPS Lead Teachers, and master's level coursework at the University of Denver's Morgridge College of Education, teacher candidates will:

• Make a difference in the lives of students attending Denver's highest-needs public schools
• Obtain a teaching job within DPS, an urban school district committed to becoming one of the country's leaders in education excellence
• Earn a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver's Morgridge College of Education
• Receive a teaching license in elementary education and be prepared to earn an additional endorsement in Linguistically Diverse Education or Special Education.

By cultivating and sustaining exceptional teachers, the Denver Teacher Residency can help students and aspiring teachers achieve their full potential -- and make a significant contribution within Denver Public Schools.

• Will become elementary school teachers serving in high needs Denver Public Schools accountable for making expected academic gains
• Will earn a teaching license and an additional teaching endorsement in special education or linguistically diverse education
• Will have a bachelor’s degree no later than June of 2010
• Are willing to make a commitment to serve in Denver Public Schools for at least five years (including Residency year).