2009-2010 Residency Teaching at Maxwell Elementary, Kindergarten
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology from Taylor University (Upland, IN) in 2008. Prior to beginning my residency, I had been working for a year as a paraprofessional in Denver Public Schools at Maxwell Elementary. During my junior year of college I spent a semester in Tanzania where I first developed an interest in Urban Education, and throughout college my interest in Public Policy grew which led to a focus on educational policy.
I left college with a desire to gain experience in public education in order to enter the education policy arena. However, once I began working in a school last year I discovered a love for teaching. This led to my pursuit of a teaching program. I looked at a number of alternative teacher certification programs. I was drawn to Denver Teacher Residency because it addresses the civil rights issue of our time – the achievement gap – in an intentional way. It creates life-long teachers who are fully equipped to meet the foreseeable challenges. Beyond that, I’ve been surprised at the level of innovation DPS is cultivating. DPS is in a time of self-examination and honesty which I greatly value as an employee and community member.
During the residency year, I loved the practical learning in our courses and residency experience. Everything I learned could be applied the next morning when I walked through the doors, from strategies to help English language learners to strategies on how to holistically develop my students. This fed my passion for being able to develop the unbelievable talent and potential found in my students. I also enjoyed watching the growth of my students, and always look forward to finding myself as a teacher. I’m out to prove that our student’s stories have NOT been written before they enter our classrooms.
Alli Horst – Maxwell Elementary, Kindergarten
2009-2010 Residency
Teaching at Maxwell Elementary, Kindergarten
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology from Taylor University (Upland, IN) in 2008. Prior to beginning my residency, I had been working for a year as a paraprofessional in Denver Public Schools at Maxwell Elementary. During my junior year of college I spent a semester in Tanzania where I first developed an interest in Urban Education, and throughout college my interest in Public Policy grew which led to a focus on educational policy.
I left college with a desire to gain experience in public education in order to enter the education policy arena. However, once I began working in a school last year I discovered a love for teaching. This led to my pursuit of a teaching program. I looked at a number of alternative teacher certification programs. I was drawn to Denver Teacher Residency because it addresses the civil rights issue of our time – the achievement gap – in an intentional way. It creates life-long teachers who are fully equipped to meet the foreseeable challenges. Beyond that, I’ve been surprised at the level of innovation DPS is cultivating. DPS is in a time of self-examination and honesty which I greatly value as an employee and community member.
During the residency year, I loved the practical learning in our courses and residency experience. Everything I learned could be applied the next morning when I walked through the doors, from strategies to help English language learners to strategies on how to holistically develop my students. This fed my passion for being able to develop the unbelievable talent and potential found in my students. I also enjoyed watching the growth of my students, and always look forward to finding myself as a teacher. I’m out to prove that our student’s stories have NOT been written before they enter our classrooms.