Meet the 2011-12 Class of Residents
Meet the Denver Teacher Residency 2011-2012 class of residents. Just click on the photos to learn about the experience of some of our residents. Be sure to check back and follow along as they provide updates about their journey into teaching.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Cole Arts & Science Academy, Secondary Special Education
I moved to Denver about two years ago from Atlanta. I graduated college with a degree in Industrial Engineering and worked in the logistics field before following my dream of becoming a teacher. I currently mentor youth that are at risk for dropping out of high school in the Denver area. Working with these youth made me realize teaching in urban communities was my passion.
I found the Denver Teacher Residency through searching “ways to be a teacher in Denver.” This program popped up, I attended an information session, and I knew it was the best program for me. I love DTR’s passion for closing the achievement gap in Denver and wanted to be a direct part of that. The program's mission aligns with my personal goals, so it seemed like the perfect fit. DTR is more than a five-year commitment for me, and it's a great start to my career in helping students reach their potential.
I get excited about working with my mentor teacher and am learning what it is really like to be a teacher. I can’t wait to get my own classroom, but know it will be even more rewarding after completing this excellent training.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Gust Elementary, 5th Grade
I am a Denver native. I graduated from University of Colorado Boulder in 2006 with a BA in English. After college I spent two years teaching English to elementary students in Guayabo Abajo, Costa Rica with the Harvard-based volunteer program, WorldTeach. I spent a year pursuing a Masters in Social Work at University of Denver and interned at Skinner Middle School in Denver Public Schools. I discovered then that I preferred being in the classroom so I withdrew from the program and began working full-time at the Denver Dumb Friends League while I searched for the best route into teaching.
I chose the Denver Teacher Residency because I think it will best prepare me to serve my students in the future. I like that the master's program takes only one year and that the majority of the time is spent in the classroom gaining real-life experience and support from a mentor teacher. Finally, I like that the whole program is geared specifically toward serving DPS students, as I plan to stay in Denver. I look forward to strengthening the relationships I'm developing with my colleagues, mentor teacher, and most of all with my students. This will help prepare me to address the individual needs of a very diverse group of learners.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Montclair School of Academics & Enrichment, 5th Grade
I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and Graphic Design from Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design. I also completed a Master’s Degree in Business from Argosy University in March of 2011. Prior to joining the Denver Teacher Residency, I worked as the Alumni Coordinator at The Art Institute of Colorado.
I chose DTR because I like that the program trains teachers to succeed in a specific demographic, those students in Denver Public Schools. I am enjoying the teaching practicum in the classroom, and looking forward to learning more about how to teach despite a constant transition of students and the enduring politics of education.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Montclair School of Academics & Enrichment, Kindergarten
I am from Atlanta, GA. I have two sisters, one who teaches in Atlanta and the other one lives here in Denver and works for The Boys and Girl Club. My mother was a teacher and now works for Georgia Independent Schools. My father is from Hong Kong and owned a Chinese restaurant in Marietta, GA. I grew up in Atlanta and lived there until I went to college in Tuscaloosa, AL. I recently got married and my husband and I moved to Colorado back in September. We love Colorado! It was the best decision we've made yet! I love to ski, run, and be outdoors.
I graduated from The University of Alabama in 2006. I graduated with a BS in Health Studies and a minor in Nutrition. I worked for three years at a private school, Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, in Atlanta. I worked in the Admissions office and was the Director of Outreach. I also taught dance class to K-5th graders and was the high school's Varsity Dance Team and Swim Team coach. After I moved to Meridian, MS two years ago, I worked at Stifel Nicolaus financial company. When I moved to Colorado back in September, I started working at Encana Oil & Gas Company.
I chose Denver Teacher Residency because of the program's motto. I believe that every child deserves a great education and I think that DTR reaches out to every child. I think that this program is an amazing one because it really prepares us as teachers with the experience in the classroom. I am looking forward to all the learning, the experiences, and the growth that we still have ahead of us.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Montclair School of Academics & Enrichment, 1st Grade
I moved to Colorado six years ago from Milwaukee, WI, after visiting and falling in love with the active mountain lifestyle. I finished my B.A. in psychology at the University of Colorado while heading up research on adolescent substance abuse. I took an introductory course to teaching while at CU, and realized how much I loved teaching kids. I am now a very happy Denver Teacher Residency resident and proud mother of an awesome 4-year-old boy. My hobbies include reading, debating current events, trail/mountain running, mountain biking, rock climbing, and conquering every Fourteener in Colorado.
Once I knew teaching was for me, I searched the internet for licensing options. I found out about DTR through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) website. When I attended a DTR information session, I was impressed by the opportunity to earn an M.A., be placed in a high-needs classroom with a mentor teacher, the tuition reimbursement program, and the excellent job prospects in Denver Public Schools upon completion.
This year, I am most looking forward to my son beginning to read, climbing some mountains, graduating with my Master’s Degree, and ultimately getting my own classroom!
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Montclair School of Academics & Enrichment, Kindergarten
I am from Michigan and grew up the oldest child of two teachers. I grew up camping with my family and playing in the lakes of Michigan. I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Social Work, and moved west, spending a summer in Yellowstone before moving to Steamboat Springs. I have been in Colorado for 13 years now, and in Denver about 7 years. I am a passionate about playing outside; I love to garden, swim, run, ski, and hike. I am three years married with a daughter Cassidy Anne, who will be two in October.
For the last six+ years while in Denver, I worked for Goodwill Industries in the Youth Services Department. I started out in a part-time, temporary position helping youth with disabilities find employment, and worked my way up to Manager of Youth Services for the last four years. A good friend of mine who I had worked with at Goodwill, Sarah Grant, was accepted into Denver Teacher Residency last year. She knew I wanted to get into the classroom and shared the website. She has been an amazing coach to me as I went through the application process and really encouraged me to pursue this opportunity. She has always spoken very highly of her experience with DTR.
I have always wanted to be a teacher! I spent the first half of my career teaching through alternative venues - outdoor education, job and career readiness, and working as an outside community-based organization in a school. Finally, after the birth of my daughter, I knew I needed a change and after Sarah told me about DTR, I put my whole heart into the application process. The resources, training, and support DTR provides is exceptional and rare in teacher prep programs. Plus, I knew I wanted to work in DPS schools and that I would need more training and support then just a six-week summer seminar. I want my teaching career to be effective and impactful, and this is the program that will train me to be the kind of teacher I want to be.
My residency year brings so many new things - getting to know my mentor teacher, walking into work every day to a classroom of students, receiving ongoing feedback, coaching, and development, being invested in, and fulfilling my dream of, becoming a teacher and learning new information!
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Archuleta Elementary, 1st Grade
I am originally from Michigan. I earned a master’s degree in communications from American University in Washington, D.C. For years I was fortunate to have the opportunity to share inspirational stories from non-profits to the public. I also am the author of a book “Trail Mix: Stories of Youth Overcoming Adversity” about young people who found new hope and awareness through programs based in the wilderness. After graduating from Michigan State University, I loaded up my car and drove to Washington, D.C., where I lived for seven years until I decided to relocate closer to the mountains. I’ve lived in Colorado for 16 years and call this home. I am married and am a mother of two awesome, active boys.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation hired me to look at what can be learned from the community organizing for education reform work going on in Denver. Through a series of interviews with parents, teachers, and leaders, I learned about the achievement gap and the innovative efforts of our community and Denver Public Schools in closing the gap. I was drawn to be a part of that change. With that aim in my mind, I was fortunate enough to discover DTR’s website.
The cohort and residency model strongly appealed to me. I like the idea of learning with a group coupled with the first-hand experience of being in an elementary classroom. I appreciate being connected to a mentor teacher for a whole year to learn and experience things books can’t necessarily explain. I am looking forward to putting the skills we learn in our university classroom to work in the DPS classroom. My hope is to help young people find fulfillment and excitement in learning.
I am finding that there is so little time and so much to do! There’s so much for children to learn, master, and experience. Yet, our efforts are in competition with television, video games, along with more significant life distractions, like poverty. As I continue this year, I will look for ways to overcome this challenge.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Archuleta Elementary, 2nd Grade
I am from California. I love photography and traveling. I believe I caught the “teaching bug” while teaching English as a second language in Romania. I am a graduate of Vanguard University where I received my B.A. in Religion, Cross-Cultural Ministry. I have worked as a missionary, a counselor in residential treatment facilities for at-risk youth, and as a para-educator in special education programs.
I found out about Denver Teacher Residency through a Craigslist posting when looking for ways into teaching. I chose the DTR program because of the focus on mentorship and immersion. The residency model is proving to be rigorous and a solid way to train to become a teacher. I am enjoying working with my mentor teacher and gleaning as much as I can from my colleagues and first-hand experience working with students. I think one of the biggest challenges for urban teachers is reaching into the individual lives of students from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, and learning styles while also adhering to the educational mandates to bridge the achievement gap. DTR is preparing me to meet that challenge.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Grant Beacon Middle School, Secondary Math
I was born in Denver, Colorado and have been proud to call it home ever since. I graduated in 2009 from Colorado State University with a degree in Statistics. From there I worked in a hospital as a Program Assistant and saw how the providers change and affect lives every day. I was really inspired by this and wanted to make a difference so I went in search of what would help me do that. Then I stumbled upon this program on craigslist and saw it as a way to make a difference. I have always enjoyed working with kids and have a strange love for math so why not be a math teacher?
The DTR program supports a great cause, ,and has an actionable challenge: put effective teachers who were prepared by Denver Public Schools into DPS classrooms to make a positive difference in every student’s life they encounter. Working with the students in the classroom I learn not only from them but also my mentor teacher, the teachers in my master's classes, and also the other residents in the cohort. I'm hoping to increase the graduation rate through teaching. I find this idea encompasses all of the challenges urban teachers encounter. The goal is to help every student graduate and in the process help them to understand why that goal is important to them.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Cole Arts and Science Academy, 1st Grade
I am originally from St. Louis, MO but my family moved to Colorado Springs when I was a child. I’ve always loved all that Colorado has to offer and I am excited for the opportunity to stay in Denver with Denver Teacher Residency. I received my Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University in Business Administration, concentrating in Marketing and Management. After college, I went to work in marketing for a large television provider in Denver for several years. I have always been interested in the field of education and made the decision to transition to a career where I could make a positive impact on the future of our country.
I first heard of DTR when several friends and family members emailed me links to the DTR website, thinking it sounded like the perfect opportunity for me. Upon learning more about the program and attending an information sessions I knew it aligned well with my goals for the future. I chose Denver Teacher Residency for many reasons. I was excited for the challenge of teaching in an urban school. I also really liked the idea of working alongside a mentor teacher and learning practical knowledge in an actual classroom while simultaneously earning my Master’s degree.
In the coming year, I’m most looking forward to the time spent in the classroom alongside my lead teacher and continuing to form strong relationships with the other residents in my cohort. I think the biggest challenge for urban teachers today is finding and developing new and innovative methods of instruction to effectively reach all students. I believe this is a crucial component in closing the achievement gap, and am excited to learn how to be a teacher who does this for my students.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Cole Arts & Science Academy, 3rd Grade
I grew up in West Texas. I earned my bachelors in Spanish from the University of Denver and have taught English in Costa Rica. I enjoy playing sports, specifically soccer. I like to spend my free time doing anything outdoorsy.
I chose Denver Teacher Residency because I believe that the training I am receiving from DTR coupled with the master's in education from DU will prepare me to be the successful and effective teacher I wish to become. I see the biggest challenge that urban teachers face as the diversity of the classroom, both culturally and academically. To be working in the classroom and being directly involved with the students is helping me prepare to be a teacher who can address these challenges.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Archuleta Elementary, 2nd Grade
I am a Colorado native who grew up in the suburbs southwest of Denver. I'm an avid traveler and thrill seeker who loves to hike, bike, climb, camp, and mountaineer in the open spaces of the Rocky Mountains. I graduated from Columbine High School in 2000, graduated summa cum laude from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO in 2004 with a major in French and a minor in business administration. I have worked as a ski instructor, camp counselor, carpenter, study abroad trip leader, and pedicab driver.
After many years of travel and exploration of foreign languages and cultures, I was ready to serve the diverse population of my local community. I heard about Denver Teacher Residency from a friend who currently teaches Spanish in high school, and she recommended the program as a great way to get a lot of hands-on experience while simultaneously earning my master's degree. DTR is proving to be a great opportunity to infuse my personal experience and enthusiasm into a multi-cultural classroom and help Denver students get the quality education they deserve.
I am looking forward to collaborating with all the other residents in my cohort as we learn and grow in the experience, and to combine masters level theory and discussion with actual classroom practices several times a week. Together we see real world applications and results. I see trying to offer a standardized education to an increasingly diverse student population that represents so many different languages, cultures, backgrounds, and learning styles a distinct challenge. I'm learning that creativity and flexibility is key in ensuring that the needs of so many different students are met.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Montclair Elementary, 2nd Grade
I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. I earned by BA from Connecticut College in 2011. I worked as an intern in the Denver Teacher Residency office during the summer of 2010 and I was very impressed by the program so I applied.
I chose the Denver Teacher Residency because I believe this program will help me make a difference in education. I have an amazing opportunity to learn from a mentor teacher while also learning in the classroom. I think these two things combined will help me to be the best educator I can. I am excited to be in the classroom and be working with my students and fellow teachers. I think the biggest challenge is engaging all of the students in the classroom. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and it is important to make the classroom a place where everyone feels comfortable.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Gust Elementary, 2nd Grade
I consider myself a Colorado Native, although I was born in Michigan. My parents are natives and except for short stints in Florida, Australia, and Maine, I've lived here my entire life. I enjoy everything Colorado has to offer from theatre to hiking to snowboarding and am looking forward to staying here with my commitment to Denver Public Schools. I hold a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Marketing and worked in advertising for just over 14 years. I originally went to UNC for teaching but decided I just wasn’t ready at 19. So 17 years later I’m jumping in!
A number of different friends, knowing that my dream was to change careers and become a teacher, sent me links to the Denver Teacher Residency website, an article from The Denver Post and one friend even attended an Information Session. DTR offers the best opportunity to apply learning in the classroom on a daily basis. I’ve taken part-time courses pursuing certification in a traditional university program and I never had the ability to connect what I was learning to the reality of a classroom. This program offers that and so much more. I’m looking forward to being in a classroom more, seeing how students respond and learn, and learning how to teach. I’m also really enjoying getting to know my cohort and creating long-term friendships.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Grant Beacon Middle Schools, Secondary Math
I was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1973 where I lived with my parents and sister until I was three years old. We moved to Mesa, AZ and remained there until I went to college. During high school, I met my wife and the two of us moved from Arizona to Boulder, Colorado after our undergraduate studies for post graduate work. We have moved several times since but now live in Denver with our two children. I received my BS degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona and a MS in Structural Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder. I worked for 12 years as a licensed Structural Engineer where I designed buildings and other structures.
I first learned about the Denver Teacher Residency program while looking for options for obtaining my teaching certificate. Several programs offered certification but the DTR program, with its master’s coursework and working with a mentor teacher in the first year, presented itself with opportunities that were not available with other teaching programs. After looking into several different options, the DTR program aligns the most with the opportunities and challenges that I was looking for in becoming a teacher.
I am now working with my mentor teacher in the classroom and learning about classroom environment and cultural diversity. This is one of the biggest challenge facing teachers in an urban environment, and I am working to advantage cultural diversity in the classroom. To be a successful in an urban environment, teachers need to be respectful and understanding of the student’s home and cultural environment.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at North High School, Secondary Math
I’m originally from Pittsburgh, PA but have been working as a community organizer in Chicago for the past two years. I studied Mathematics at Colorado College and am excited to be in a program that unites two things I love: Mathematics and Social Justice!
I chose Denver Teacher Residency because of the quality of authentic discussion about real challenges for educators and larger issues in the public education system I witnessed, even in just the interview process. Our reading for the interview was about power in the classroom, how liberal educators differ from educators of color, and how everyone can work together to assure the academic success of our students. I didn't feel that anybody else was talking about these issues so frankly and practically.
As a resident, I am most looking forward to building a strong bond with my cohort and forming a team of support that I know we are all going to need, especially in our first year. I anticipate that the biggest challenge for me is to not get caught up in all the factors that I can’t change and instead disregarding all other factors, and focus on strong teaching and support for my students.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Montclair Elementary, 5th Grade
I was born and raised in California, where I knew early on that I wanted to be an educator. My childhood was filled with made-up lesson plans and dry erase markers because all I wanted to do was teach. Although I dabbled in a few other directions along the way, my desire to teach was true then, and it’s especially true now. I spent the past several years in the corporate realm of the restaurant industry. I eventually found myself working with the training department in a non-traditional learning setting where I rekindled my desire to teach. After volunteering at a local elementary school for a semester to further explore my passion, I made up my mind for certain that education was where I needed to be. As I’ve gained personal and professional experiences, I have been able to better solidify this desire to educate.
Finding the Denver Teacher Residency was a very fortunate accident for me. Having just taken a weekend trip to Denver, I was curious to see what teaching opportunities might be available. So after what felt like endless days of searching on Craigslist, a posting popped up from DTR. It sounded too good to be true – as I learned more about the opportunity, however, I knew I had to apply. Like I’m sure most people entering the profession would say, I want to help. I want to make a difference. But even more so, I want to work towards improving the quality of education so that every student has a fair chance. I was particularly drawn to the Denver Teacher Residency for this reason because the program seemed so focus on always putting the student first and closing the achievement gap. I also really liked that the program provides the chance to develop alongside a mentor teacher. None of the others programs I looked into could even compare – everything was so well organized and accessible with DTR, it was no contest for me. I am honored to be a part of a program that is adamant about putting students first. Just being a teacher is a privilege in itself, but being a part of this program is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
I am so eager to get soak up all that I can in the classroom. I am getting my “feet wet” right away and learning from my mentor teacher. I feel I learn best by doing, and I think the benefits of a congruent and interactive classroom environment are immense. Getting the opportunity to work with students four days a week for an entire year is a gift. I have become increasingly aware of the need for betterment in education, and not only do I believe it is possible, I get to be a part of it. With this program, I get to join the school community right from the start. I year ahead is proving to be challenging, but I am looking forward to mastering what it means to be a truly effective teacher.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Montclair School of Academics & Enrichment, 3rd Grade
I grew up in Lakewood, CO and attended University of Colorado Denver where I earned a degree in political science/pre-law and Spanish in 2011 with honors. I have one sister and I love to go snowboarding, exercise, and play volleyball. I like to travel and my favorite destination is Mexico. I enjoy going to the mountains and river rafting in the summer and snowboarding in the winter.
I've always been interested in teaching and helping underprivileged students, so when the Denver Teacher Residency recruiter spoke in my Spanish class, I knew I had to apply. I'm getting to know my mentor teacher and our students and having new experiences at the school every day I'm there. The language barrier is a big challenge, and DTR is equipping me with linguistically diverse education teaching strategies.
I moved to Denver in 2008 after completing my BA degrees in music and theater. My deep interest in the performing arts serendipitously led me to Denver Teacher Residency. I have been engaged in a number of children’s theater productions and have taught singing lessons to middle schoolers. Watching and helping eager young performers find their voices and learn and grow into theatrical parts convinced me to pursue education.
I chose Denver Teacher Residency because the program seemed to be the most enriching, comprehensive, and sensible path to becoming an effective teacher. I'm looking forward to spending the entire school year with a teaching mentor. I learn from this dedicated, experienced, and impassioned teacher and instill my values and hopes in the Denver Public School system. Programs like DTR show that change is coming, and that perhaps the biggest challenge is the here and now. Students already struggling have no time to wait. Urban teachers face the immediate challenge of catching up current students affected by the achievement gap.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Cole Arts & Science Academy, Primary Special Education
I grew up in New Berlin, Wisconsin and graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee. Colorado has been home for the past 22 years. I am a husband and father of two wonderful children, 8 and 5. Together we njoy activities as a family, long bike rides, xeric gardening, cooking, and golf. Prior to joining the Denver Teacher Residency I was a Sales Representative with two pharmaceutical companies, an airline pilot, and a Naval Aviator.
I heard about DTR from a friend who is a retired Denver Public Schools teacher. I chose DTR because I wanted to help students by being an effective teacher and I believe that the education and one year residency I'm receiving through DTR will build the foundation for my and my students' success.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Gust Elementary, 1st Grade
I am a Colorado Native. I love the outdoors and all the wonderful things that Colorado has to offer. I enjoy skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. I can usually be found in the company of good friends and family. My biggest hobby is traveling - within Colorado, the United States, and abroad.
I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish from the University of Colorado at Denver in 2009. Before I was accepted into the Denver Teacher Residency program, I was a contract employee for the Cherry Creek School District teaching Spanish before and after school for grades K-5. I have worked with kids my whole life and have a wide array of experience when is comes to working with kids. Some previous work includes: childcare, teaching and overseeing swimming lessons, and tutoring.
After I graduated college and finding it very difficult to find a job, I began to look anywhere and everywhere for jobs that included teaching and first heard of DTR while looking for jobs on Craigslist. I chose the DTR because it seemed perfect for what I wanted to do in life. I want to become a teacher and this was a perfect opportunity to obtain a teaching license and receive effective training in the competitive teaching career field.
I think the biggest challenge for urban teachers today is not getting discouraged. The language barriers, poverty levels, and transitions of students always coming and going make it really difficult for urban teacher to make a difference and provide the best education those students deserve. In the coming year, I am most looking forward to the bonds I am going to make with my cohort, mentor teacher, peers, and the students I will be teaching. I also look forward to the wealth of knowledge I am about to gain that will stay with me throughout the rest of my life.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Gust Elementary, 1st Grade
I am a Colorado native and have lived here all my life. I have a wonderful family with whom I am very close. My parents live in Aurora, and I have an older brother living in Denver, and an older sister living in Maryland. I live with my English Bulldog, Tulo, and love living in the city and enjoy all of what Colorado has to offer! I attended Metro State for my undergrad and earned my degree in Behavioral Science. For the past three years I taught Head Start in Denver and loved every minute of it. Teaching Head Start made me fall in love with urban education.
I was looking to pursue my Master’s and came across the Denver Teacher Residency program on the Denver Public Schools website. Once I attended an information session, I began my application process. I chose DTR because it is truly an incredible program that offers many amazing opportunities. I have a true passion for Special Education and urban education, so this is the perfect program for me.
I am excited to be learning best practice from an amazing university like University of Denver, and then have the unique opportunity of putting that learning in action in a DPS classroom. I think the biggest challenge facing urban teachers today is closing the achievement gap. Statistics show that there’s quite a challenge ahead of us; however, change is possible. Through amazing programs like the DTR, we have the ability to drastically impact the lives of urban Denver students. I am so grateful to be on this amazing journey!
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Archuleta Elementary, 2nd Grade
I have been involved with education in various ways for since I graduated from Colorado State University. After teaching in Spain for a year, I returned to Colorado to serve in AmeriCorps with the "I Have a Dream Foundation" as a Tutor/Mentor.
I first heard about DTR at the Colorado State University Job Fair last fall. After looking at all the different options to become a certified teacher in Colorado, I decided that DTR was the program that gave the best preparation to be an quality teacher in DPS.
I am looking forward to working in a classroom for an entire academic year and partnering with a mentor teacher who can share so much knowledge with me. I am committed to closing the achievement gap as well as creating a classroom culture that is inclusive, engaging, and motivated by success.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Archuleta Elementary, Kindergarten/1st Grade
My background is in research and data. I studied developmental psychology at the University of Oregon. After I graduated, I worked as a research assistant on psychology studies at the Oregon Social Learning Center in Eugene, Oregon, and later at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center (now CU-Denver). I enjoyed working in research but I wanted to find a career where I could have a more immediate impact on people’s lives. I spent four years working in the Jefferson County Public Schools Assessment Department, working with school personnel to coordinate state-required assessments.
I heard about the Denver Teacher Residency from the University of Denver's Morgridge College of Education website. I was interested in the hands-on, intentional training that will teach me the strategies and skills that I will need to work in the high-impact schools where I hope to teach. I’m really looking forward to learning how to create a positive, supportive learning community in my classroom so that I can help every student prepare to successfully contribute to 21st century society. I am excited about this next step in my career, which allows me to work directly with students and, I hope, be a positive influence on their lives.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Cole Arts & Science Academy, 1st Grade
I grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and was exposed to the world of teaching growing up while my mom worked as a first grade teacher. More recently, I have lived in Omaha, NE for the past four years while attending college before moving to Denver. I am very passionate about traveling and have had amazing opportunities to learn about education abroad – especially during a study abroad trip to Peru. While on this trip, I was able to live in both rural Andean settings as well as in an Amazonian village where I helped to teach English and documented the education that children were receiving so that the government could provide them with more funding. Being in these settings has made me very passionate about ensuring that all children receive a quality education in a setting where they feel secure and can develop their own confidence and life goals. From this background, I became very committed to empowering others through education and hope to continue that in the Denver Teacher Residency.
I graduated in May from Creighton University with a degree in Cultural Anthropology and Spanish. While in school, I had the opportunity to teach Spanish classes at an elementary school in rural Iowa that really helped to ignite my love of teaching. Through this experience, I also became involved in urban education programs in Omaha and used my background of Anthropology to research child preparation and other family situations within this realm. This research really worked to expand my view of education and I have loved getting involved in special education initiatives as well as English as a second language programs.
I chose Denver Teacher Residency because it seemed like the perfect fit for me. It not only completely prepares residents with best practices and plenty of hands-on learning in the classroom, it also focuses on wider issues such as closing the achievement gap and delving into situations specific within an urban setting. In addition to this focus on specifically urban education, I also really love the attention it gives to English language learners and how it teaches us specific strategies to help make these students more successful. Overall, the goal of the program - to provide all students with an excellent education - really fits in with my own personal mission to teach the whole child in the most effective way possible.
I am very excited to be in the classroom setting and developing my own teaching style and classroom culture. Urban teachers today have the amazing opportunity to offer a holistic education to children that not only teaches them academic content, but that also instills in them the confidence to create and pursue their own dreams because they know they have all the support and necessary preparation to succeed despite any challenges that may exist in their lives.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Grant Beacon Middle School, 6th Grade Math
I earned my BA from Colorado Christian University and my MA University of Denver in Religious Studies. I've had many previous jobs, including administrative assistant, adjunct professor, sales girl, and pastry chef. I wasn't finding much meaning in my job at the time, so started looking around to see what my options might be and ran into DTR online in a non-profit job board posting.
I am really impressed with the DTR's residency model and the Praxis-oriented coursework. How better to learn a skilled profession than to spend a lot of time interacting with people who do it well? I am most looking forward to getting to know my lead teacher and working alongside her in the classroom. I look forward to learning how to creating an environment that provides for the unique needs of traditionally underserved students.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Henry World Middle School, Secondary Math
I was born and raised in Schaumburg, IL in a family of seven, and we were all raised in a vegetarian family. I have one older sister who is about to have twin boys, two younger brothers, and one younger sister (four siblings altogether). My dad is in healthcare management and my mom is a Nurse Practitioner. I have been married to Greg, a mechanical engineer, for just over a year now, and we’ve been living in Denver together since 2007. My interests include road biking, hiking, camping, reading (especially books about physics, neurology, and culture), knitting, enjoying the mountains of Colorado, hanging out with my black lab Jasper, and teaching math!
I earned my BS in Pre-Medicine and went to medical school for two years right out of college. Deciding this was not the life for me, I ended up traveling to South Korea with older sister, Kim, where we taught English as a Second Language (ESL) for a year and had the opportunity to travel throughout southeast Asia during that time as well. We spent about four months in India and Nepal, where trekking through the Himalayas was one of the best experiences of my life. After that I taught ESL to adults and business people in Santiago, Chile, and then lived in Savannah, GA doing marketing work for a short time. My family moved out to Colorado to open a Huntington Learning Center (supplemental education programs and exam preparation) and I worked in that center in Longmont since 2006.
I heard about the Denver Teacher Residency while searching online for teaching/tutoring opportunities in the Denver area. The program’s message really resonated with me, and it seemed like an amazing opportunity to become a teacher while obtaining the master's degree I had been seeking for some time. I chose DTR because of its affiliation with Denver Public Schools, its commitment to the urban teacher residency model and the students in DPS, and to pursue my master's degree while learning how to be an effective DPS teacher. I am most looking forward to teaching students how to have high expectations of themselves and be confident in areas, such as math, where students tend to struggle. I think teaching and learning alongside my mentor teacher is giving me a great opportunity to observe and then embody best practices in my own teaching.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Henry World Middle School, Secondary Math
I’ve been living in Colorado for 11 years since moving here from St.Louis, Missouri to study mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado-Boulder. I worked as an engineer with Ball Corporation for five years as well as a guest teacher for Denver Public Schools for one year. I love all the outdoor activities Colorado has to offer, particularly mountain biking and alpine climbing. My wife is a teacher in Denver Public Schools and I learned of the Denver Teacher Residency program from several of the district emails she received. Initially the program didn't train teachers in secondary mathematics so I volunteered and guest taught for Denver Public Schools until DTR expanded in secondary math this past year.
I think that the Denver Teacher Residency offers the best opportunity to teach students in the highest need areas along with the support needed to be as effective as possible. The program pairs people who are driven to teach with highly effective lead teachers who are already making that difference. I’m looking forward to being in the same classroom everyday and further getting to know my students so that I can be successful in teaching them. At the same time I am fortunate to observe great teaching and combine that with DU’s graduate program so that I can develop my own teaching beliefs and philosophy. I think the biggest challenge for urban teachers today is continuing to be innovative and flexible in overcoming obstacles to learning. Regardless of background or socioeconomic status all students can be successful if we as teachers can find a way to reach them.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Cole Arts & Science Academy, Kindergarten
I am a 22 year-old Mexican American and am very proud of my culture and heritage. I was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. When I was about 12 my family moved to Commerce City and we have been here ever since. I went to high school at Adams City High School and once I graduated, I was accepted to the University of Denver. It was here that I got my degree in Sociology with minors in history and art.
I heard about the Denver Teacher Residency through DU when I was researching different options for getting into teaching. One of the most attractive aspects of DTR was that I would have the ability to work in Denver Public Schools. I felt this would be the perfect avenue to give back to the communities from which that I came. After further investigation, DTR proved to be a really organized and innovative type of program, including a residency year with a lot of support for its residents. I am enjoying teaching and learning in my residency class and applying the skills we learn immediately in the classroom.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Gust Elementary, 3rd Grade
I hail from the great state of Ohio. I spent my summers in college working at a summer camp in the mountains as a backpacking counselor. Mentoring and educating youth has always been my passion. I love the outdoors and have an inexplicable attraction to the harmonica. I attended Lake Forest College, a small liberal arts school outside of Chicago. I graduated in 2005 with a BA in creative writing and psychology. Shortly thereafter I moved to the wonderful state of Colorado (mostly because I’m addicted to mountains) and worked as a paraprofessional at a residential treatment facility for adolescents with diagnosed psychological and behavioral disorders. I also volunteered for several therapeutic horseback riding programs, where I had the opportunity to work with both children and adults with disabilities.
A post on Craigslist advertising Denver Teacher Residency was my first introduction to the program. I chose DTR because of its structure - designed to educate urban teachers - is innovative and effective. With hands-on comprehensive learning, a supportive cohort, specific training for the needs of DPS, and high expectations for both teachers and students, the choice was easy. I am eager to learn from the diverse backgrounds of my instructors, mentor teacher, and peers, and positively impact student achievement. Students often enter grades with knowledge gaps for various reasons. As well prepared, effective teachers, we can overcome impeding external obstacles and close those gaps to see vastly improved achievement from our students.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Gust Elementary, 2nd Grade
I grew up in Colorado and earned a degree in Communication from Xavier University. I never considered a career as a teacher until I spent a year as an AmeriCorps member in Washington, DC. When I was working with students and seeing the harsh reality of American urban schools, and became inspired and my passion for education was ignited. I became a teacher with a United Nations development program in Northern Chile and chose to return to Denver because of the high need for Spanish-speaking teachers.
I chose Denver Teacher Residency for its intensive year of training built into the residency model; I feel that this program offers me the opportunity to become a highly effective educator. I firmly believes that the circumstances a child is born into should not dictate the quality of the education they receive. As a Denver Teacher Resident, I am working relentlessly to close the achievement gap to make sure that every child gets the excellent education they deserve.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Henry World School, 6th Grade Math
I am from Carbondale, Illinois, the home of Southern Illinois University...the Salukis. I am an avid soccer player and coach, love the outdoors, and couldn’t be happier to be back in Colorado after my last year abroad living in Mexico.
I graduated with a Math degree from Fort Lewis College. During my time at Fort Lewis I worked every position available in a restaurant, from dishwasher to waiter to bartender to manager. After college I helped rebuild New Orleans after hurricane Katrina for nine months. Then I moved and worked as a high school math teacher and varsity soccer coach for three years at Gordon Tech Catholic High School in Chicago, IL.
I heard about Denver Teacher Residency online from looking into alternative licensure programs in Colorado. DTR seemed like the best fit. The ability to receive a Master’s degree from University of Denver, a Colorado teaching license, a year of training on the job, and a $10,000 stipend all in one year just couldn’t be beat.
I think that today's teachers have many challenges, including transient students, preparing students for life after high school, and to be able to differentiate their teaching style to effectively engage more students. I'm looking forward to learning how to overcome all of these challenges from my mentor teachers in the classroom and at the University.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Gust Elementary, 4th Grade
I am a Denver native and have lived here my whole life. I attended Denver Public Schools for my entire school career. I am very close with my family and love to spend time with my niece and nephew. I spend my free time at the gym, playing basketball, playing chess, or reading. I graduated from Metro State College with a double B.A. in Multimedia Production and Chicano Studies. I spent a semester studying in Guadalajara, Mexico to improve my Spanish. After graduating I spent two years working as a paraprofessional for DPS at Academia Ana Marie Sandoval in a Spanish component classroom. It was there that I found my love for education and desire to pursue teaching.
I heard about the Denver Teacher Residency in a newspaper article that had a picture of a high school friend who was a part of the first cohort. I then researched the program more on my own. After reading about the program I felt it was exactly what I was looking for to further my education and embark on a new career path. I feel that the residency year with a mentor teacher is an invaluable experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else. I am most looking forward to working with my mentor teacher and learning the intricacies of managing a classroom. I am also excited to work with the students and see the academic growth they make throughout the year.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Cole Arts & Science Academy, Mild/Moderate Special Education
I graduated from college with my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in December 2010. For the last two years I worked as a Educational Aide in Glendale, AZ in a Social/Emotional Behavior disorder classroom, and then in a Severe and Profound mental disability classroom. That experience truly shaped my understanding of children with special needs and what it takes to educate special population. Before I worked in the school system I worked as a relocation counselor, a security guard, a customer service call center assistant supervisor, and a data processor.
I learned about the Denver Teacher Residency through the Urban Teacher Residency United website. Once I found about DTR, I knew I wanted to move to Denver and working with DTR since I found out. The program appeals to empowering my ability to help a population of students who need strong role models. The reimbursed master’s degree certainly is a plus. In my residency year, I'm enjoying working with the diverse and varied group of people who make up my cohort, and the interesting challenges that learning with my mentor teacher brings. I am especially interested in connecting with students who usually have their heads buried ins MP3 players and cell phones rather than books.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Gust Elementary, Intermediate Special Education
I have been married for 19 years, and we have three boys ages 11, 12, and 13. I worked in educational sales for the past 14 years - I was an International Sales Manager before working locally for another seven years. I earned my B.A. in Economics from the University of Colorado, Boulder.
I found out about the Denver Teacher Residency program online while doing research about becoming a teacher. The program appealed to me because it seemed very professionally run and organized. The combination of academics, research, and on-the-job training made a strong impression on me. I knew that this was going to be a difficult program, but one that would prepare me best to become a high-quality teacher.
The program is proving to be rigorous, but one that is preparing me to be an urban teacher and face the pressures of high-achievement in an environment of low-expectations. The diverse environment of the urban classroom is an enriching environment, but one that requires great organization and motivation.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Cole Arts & Science Academy, 2nd/3rd Grade
I am originally from Pittsburgh, PA. I moved to Colorado to attend college and I love it too much to ever leave. I studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where I majored in Creative Writing and International Spanish for the Professions; I also received a minor in Business Administration. I was looking for a graduate program that would allow me to work with English Language Learners and get my teaching certification, and my sister found the Denver Teacher Residency program for me.
I chose DTR because it has everything I want. I get to teach in an urban setting, I get to practice teaching a full year before I have my own classroom, and I get to work with foreign language speakers. This gives me teaching, working with the students - everything! I think the biggest challenge for urban teachers is the transient nature of the student population. It is going to be difficult to work with a student, and then to have that student leave the school district.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Cole Arts & Science Academy, Kindergarten
I am one of three kids, and am a Native American originally from Oklahoma. I enjoy many outdoor activities and am very family oriented. I studied at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond and also taught Spanish there as an adjunct professor for three years.
I first found about Denver Teacher Residency while looking into getting an alternative teaching license in Colorado. I chose DTR because I really like the idea of working in the classroom for a year with a mentor teacher. The training process and support of DTR shows Denver Public Schools' commitment to quality educators and making a positive change in the school system. I look forward to learning how to provide a positive learning environment for students, and teaching strategies that will help them progress and succeed. I also look forward to being a positive influence and advocate for them. It is exciting being part of a group of people who are setting out to change the face of education.
2010-2011 Residency
Completing residency at Henry World Middle School, Secondary Math
I am a Denver native. I earned my bachelor's degree in accounting from Metropolitan State College in Denver. Prior to joining Denver Teacher Residency, I worked for 11 years as an Office Manager and Bookkeeper in Denver and Lakewood.
I discovered the DTR program while looking through the Denver Public Schools website for ways to obtain an alternative teacher license. I chose DTR because I fell in love with the idea of being able to experience a full year side-by-side with an experienced teacher. Another attractive part about DTR is earning my master’s degree from University of Denver (with full tuition reimbursement).
I’m really enjoying being in the classroom and helping kids learn. I want to make a difference in the lives of these urban students. I also want to make math fun and easy to comprehend for the students. I'm learning that the two biggest challenges for urban teachers today is getting the students to believe in themselves and also finding a way to reach and teach each student so that they will learn and understand what is being presented.
