2009-2010 Residency Teaching at Gust Elementary, 1st Grade
I grew up in Arlee, Montana, which is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in the western part of the state. I’m a member of the Salish tribe. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Montana – Missoula. During college, I worked for Reznet News, an online news web site dedicated to covering Native American and minority issues. Before being accepted to the Denver Teacher Residency, I was the education reporter for the Casper Star-Tribune in Casper, Wyoming. I chose to report on education because I believe that education is at the heart of so many issues for our country.
After spending two years reporting on schools and teachers, I knew I wanted to be on the other side of the fence. Applying to DTR is one of the best decisions I’ve made; I never imagined that I would find a job that has the power to make me laugh and cry in the same day!
I chose Denver Teacher Residency because I was interested in getting hands-on experience in teaching – right away. Sitting through years of just coursework didn’t seem like the best way to learn about this profession. I love that I was able to learn how to teach and then apply that knowledge immediately. Our classes were well thought out and on the cutting edge of education reform. It’s a thrilling experience to be part of something that has the power to change so much.
Nothing could have prepared me for the amount of planning and work that goes into making just one hour in front of the class go smoothly. I thought journalism prepared me well for being one step ahead of the game and putting in extra work, but it’s nothing compared to the hours I can spend putting together lessons, activities, and other tasks for my students. What I learned in DTR really helps me deliver relevant instruction.
The kids are really the best! During my residency year at Gust Elementary, I had 20 bright, funny, and adorable kindergartners. Despite their challenges, hey would surprise me every day with their humorous outlook on life and their genuine desire to work their hardest and do their best. It was such a privilege to have co-taught for the 2009-2010 academic year, and looking back I know that it was really good preparation for my own classroom.
My greatest learning from my residency year was how important it is to really care about each student as an individual. When a child knows you truly care about him/her, and that you’re willing to go out of your way to help, really remarkable learning can take place. I credit much of my students’ academic success to the community we work hard to build at the beginning of the year. Relationships are a key piece of teaching. I am also continually reminded that there is always something more you can be doing to make yourself a better teacher, to make the classroom a better place, and to help students become successful learners.
This continual improvement is my biggest personal challenge – learning this profession, and learning how to do it well in a condensed amount of time. There’s a sense of urgency in urban education right now, in finding and training effective teachers to lead the schools and work with the students who are falling behind more and more. That urgency underscores everything I do and gives me such purpose, but it can be extremely exhausting at the end of the day!
Jasa Santos – Gust Elementary, 1st Grade
2009-2010 Residency
Teaching at Gust Elementary, 1st Grade
I grew up in Arlee, Montana, which is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation in the western part of the state. I’m a member of the Salish tribe. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Montana – Missoula. During college, I worked for Reznet News, an online news web site dedicated to covering Native American and minority issues. Before being accepted to the Denver Teacher Residency, I was the education reporter for the Casper Star-Tribune in Casper, Wyoming. I chose to report on education because I believe that education is at the heart of so many issues for our country.
After spending two years reporting on schools and teachers, I knew I wanted to be on the other side of the fence. Applying to DTR is one of the best decisions I’ve made; I never imagined that I would find a job that has the power to make me laugh and cry in the same day!
I chose Denver Teacher Residency because I was interested in getting hands-on experience in teaching – right away. Sitting through years of just coursework didn’t seem like the best way to learn about this profession. I love that I was able to learn how to teach and then apply that knowledge immediately. Our classes were well thought out and on the cutting edge of education reform. It’s a thrilling experience to be part of something that has the power to change so much.
Nothing could have prepared me for the amount of planning and work that goes into making just one hour in front of the class go smoothly. I thought journalism prepared me well for being one step ahead of the game and putting in extra work, but it’s nothing compared to the hours I can spend putting together lessons, activities, and other tasks for my students. What I learned in DTR really helps me deliver relevant instruction.
The kids are really the best! During my residency year at Gust Elementary, I had 20 bright, funny, and adorable kindergartners. Despite their challenges, hey would surprise me every day with their humorous outlook on life and their genuine desire to work their hardest and do their best. It was such a privilege to have co-taught for the 2009-2010 academic year, and looking back I know that it was really good preparation for my own classroom.
My greatest learning from my residency year was how important it is to really care about each student as an individual. When a child knows you truly care about him/her, and that you’re willing to go out of your way to help, really remarkable learning can take place. I credit much of my students’ academic success to the community we work hard to build at the beginning of the year. Relationships are a key piece of teaching. I am also continually reminded that there is always something more you can be doing to make yourself a better teacher, to make the classroom a better place, and to help students become successful learners.
This continual improvement is my biggest personal challenge – learning this profession, and learning how to do it well in a condensed amount of time. There’s a sense of urgency in urban education right now, in finding and training effective teachers to lead the schools and work with the students who are falling behind more and more. That urgency underscores everything I do and gives me such purpose, but it can be extremely exhausting at the end of the day!