Why Join?
The Denver Teacher Residency is designed specifically for those who want to become the best educators possible in an urban school district that's on the cutting edge of reform. The program offers Residents the opportunity to work in an environment rich in linguistic, economic and cultural diversity, the ability to make a difference in the lives of at-risk, high-needs students and the opportunity to live at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.

While there are many benefits associated with the Denver Teacher Residency, we're confident that 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.

• Will become elementary school teachers serving in high needs Denver Public Schools
• 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).

The Program Model

Year 1 - Residency

• Placement in a DPS high-needs elementary 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 elementary endorsement in either Linguistically Diverse Education or 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
• Teaching license awarded to teacher candidates*

• 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 student achievement data in reading, writing and math that will support the teacher's progress towards ensuring that students make expected academic gains
• Receive feedback on performance and progress towards increasing student achievement
• Participate in ongoing exchange of ideas and practice with cohort from residency

• Ongoing support and accountability for increasing student achievement
• Continue as teacher in a DPS high-needs school
• 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 partially reimburse the Resident for tuition costs that have not been met through other means

• $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
• Partial 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

• 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 determine effectiveness of learning and application by examining student work
• Satisfaction 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.