2010-2011 Residency Teaching at Valdez Elementary, 3rd Grade
Before joining Denver Teacher Residency, Katherine worked for Outward Bound as an outdoor educator and served in AmeriCorps VISTA as a service-learning coordinator. Realizing that she can make the biggest impact in the classroom, her prior skills and experiences have built a foundation for her to engage students as leaders, critical-thinkers and good communicators while meeting academic goals. Katherine is dedicated to creating a just world and committed to being an exceptional teacher and leader within the Denver Public Schools.
Katherine says that through her lead teacher and learning rotations, she learned a lot about having high expectations for the students. This is immediately transferable to her own classroom, where she’s increased the rigor of the content and academic language. She credits DTR to teaching her to ask deeper questions and require more of my students. She says, “Starting off my residency year with fresh eyes, I was unaware of truly how much my lead teacher already had in place. From what to do with supplies to homework policies, there are many details to consider. As a full-time teacher I am realizing more and more the constant decision making that occurs and how it affects a learning environment. As a teacher, I love the support of my school community. I know I can rely on other staff members for ideas, help, a good laugh, and inspiration. I could not ask for a better working environment.”
“One of the biggest challenges of working in an urban district is meeting the vast array of needs. It is important that teachers differentiate their instruction to respond to the individual situations and needs of each student. It is essential to be invested in the success of every student; it takes a tremendous amount of time and dedication!”
Katherine Ketter – Valdez Elementary, 3rd Grade
2010-2011 Residency
Teaching at Valdez Elementary, 3rd Grade
Before joining Denver Teacher Residency, Katherine worked for Outward Bound as an outdoor educator and served in AmeriCorps VISTA as a service-learning coordinator. Realizing that she can make the biggest impact in the classroom, her prior skills and experiences have built a foundation for her to engage students as leaders, critical-thinkers and good communicators while meeting academic goals. Katherine is dedicated to creating a just world and committed to being an exceptional teacher and leader within the Denver Public Schools.
Katherine says that through her lead teacher and learning rotations, she learned a lot about having high expectations for the students. This is immediately transferable to her own classroom, where she’s increased the rigor of the content and academic language. She credits DTR to teaching her to ask deeper questions and require more of my students. She says, “Starting off my residency year with fresh eyes, I was unaware of truly how much my lead teacher already had in place. From what to do with supplies to homework policies, there are many details to consider. As a full-time teacher I am realizing more and more the constant decision making that occurs and how it affects a learning environment. As a teacher, I love the support of my school community. I know I can rely on other staff members for ideas, help, a good laugh, and inspiration. I could not ask for a better working environment.”
“One of the biggest challenges of working in an urban district is meeting the vast array of needs. It is important that teachers differentiate their instruction to respond to the individual situations and needs of each student. It is essential to be invested in the success of every student; it takes a tremendous amount of time and dedication!”