2009-2010 Residency Teaching at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, 3rd Grade
I am 27 and was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. I was blessed with a son in 2001, graduated from Omaha North High School in 2002, blessed with a daughter in 2003, graduated from Metropolitan Community College with an Associate’s degree in Human Services in 2005 from Bellevue University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2006, and blessed with another son in 2007. We moved to Denver in 2009 where I began work towards a Master’s in Urban Studies a year before I was accepted into the Denver Teacher Residency program.
I chose DTR because its mission and goals were similar to my own – increasing academic achievement in urban settings. This includes promoting academic rigor and closing the achievement gaps. I feel that this is one of the biggest challenges for urban teachers – creating a learning environment that addresses students’ individuality and cultural differences while providing them with interesting and fun academic rigor.
I loved the DTR instructors who are all experienced teachers. Each of them brings their own style of teaching and learning into seminars. I also enjoy the collaborative and very hands-on approach the residents share with one another. I enjoy teaching science the most. Increasing the students’ awareness so they are able to identify science all around them on a daily basis is very passionate and amusing.
I completed my residency at McMeen Elementary in a first grade classroom. I was surprised by the students’ rapid growth. After only six weeks the students were displaying increased knowledge, more independence, and academic achievement.
JaMese Stepanek – Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, 3rd Grade
2009-2010 Residency
Teaching at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, 3rd Grade
I am 27 and was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. I was blessed with a son in 2001, graduated from Omaha North High School in 2002, blessed with a daughter in 2003, graduated from Metropolitan Community College with an Associate’s degree in Human Services in 2005 from Bellevue University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2006, and blessed with another son in 2007. We moved to Denver in 2009 where I began work towards a Master’s in Urban Studies a year before I was accepted into the Denver Teacher Residency program.
I chose DTR because its mission and goals were similar to my own – increasing academic achievement in urban settings. This includes promoting academic rigor and closing the achievement gaps. I feel that this is one of the biggest challenges for urban teachers – creating a learning environment that addresses students’ individuality and cultural differences while providing them with interesting and fun academic rigor.
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I loved the DTR instructors who are all experienced teachers. Each of them brings their own style of teaching and learning into seminars. I also enjoy the collaborative and very hands-on approach the residents share with one another. I enjoy teaching science the most. Increasing the students’ awareness so they are able to identify science all around them on a daily basis is very passionate and amusing.
I completed my residency at McMeen Elementary in a first grade classroom. I was surprised by the students’ rapid growth. After only six weeks the students were displaying increased knowledge, more independence, and academic achievement.