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Why Join?
The Denver Teacher Residency is designed specifically for those who want to become educators who help close the achievement gap in an urban school district on the cutting edge of reform. DTR offers program participants the opportunity to work in an environment rich in linguistic, economic, and cultural diversity; and the ability to make a difference in the lives of at-risk, high-needs students.
Those who commit to and complete the program will value it most as an innovative and supportive path towards becoming an exceptional teacher: a path that equally emphasizes teaching theory and practice, preparing and positioning teachers to succeed in an urban classroom setting by ensuring their students make expected academic gains.
The Program Model
Year 1 - Residency
- Placement in a DPS high-needs school with 4-8 fellow Residents
- Learn and teach with a DPS Lead Teacher who demonstrates excellence in the classroom and acts as a mentor and advisor to the Resident
- Prepare program participants to receive an endorsement in Linguistically Diverse Education and Special Education
- Participate in a professional learning community focused on improving student learning, understanding and applying instructional theory, and promoting professional growth
- Weekly seminars of M.A. coursework designed and taught through the University of Denver's Morgridge College of Education and the Denver Teacher Residency
- Learn to design effective instruction that measures and tracks student outcomes
- Complete M.A. degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Denver's Morgridge College of Education
- Alternative teaching license awarded*
Year Two
- Hired as a full-time teacher* within a DPS high-needs school earning a competitive salary
- Receive customized mentoring and support throughout first year in classroom
- Provided access to and given feedback on student achievement data in reading, writing and math that will support the teacher's progress towards ensuring that students make expected academic gains
- Participate in ongoing exchange of ideas and practice with cohort from residency
- Work to meet DPS' standards for new-teacher effectiveness to move toward professional licensure
Years Three to Five
- Continue as teacher in a DPS high-needs school
- Ongoing support and accountability for increasing student achievement
- Ongoing access to extensive professional development and all supports provided to DPS teachers
- Tuition reimbursement: DTR will assist in providing access to financial support. The program will reimburse program participants for tuition costs that have not been met through other means
- Meet DPS' bars for new teacher effectiveness in order to receive professional licensure
Program Supports
- $10,000 stipend during residency year and access to health care benefits through the University of Denver's Morgridge College of Education
- Access to financial aid advice through the University of Denver's Morgridge College of Education
- Tuition reimbursement upon fulfillment of 5-year commitment to Denver Teacher Residency program and DPS (includes residency year)
- A teaching position at a DPS high-needs school*
- Supportive, constructive environment created by residency cohort model
- Extensive resources to develop and improve teaching skills
The Program Rewards
- Opportunity to help high-risk students achieve their full potential
- The foundation, based on education and experience, to affect change within the classroom, the school, and the district
- Ability to examine student work to determine teacher effectiveness
- Deep reward of making a difference in the education and lives of students
*Upon successful completion of residency in year-one of program and ongoing demonstration of competency.
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