2009-2010 Residency Teaching at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, 1st Grade
I am from East Brunswick, NJ. I attended undergrad at Rutgers University and majored in Spanish and Anthropology. I graduated four years ago, and moved back to Merida, Mexico, where I had studied abroad and fell in love with the culture. While down there I dabbled in archaeology, but spent most of my time volunteering at a local orphanage teaching English.
After returning to New Jersey, I spent a year or so bouncing between sales jobs. None of which I felt were as rewarding as my brief teaching experience in Mexico. And that’s what turned me on to the prospect of being a teacher, and eventually, to find Denver Teacher Residency.
I completed my residency at McMeen Elementary in a third grade classroom. The most important thing I learned during my residency year was how to manage a classroom. I entered into teaching knowing next to nothing about kids, so this gave me a solid foundation from which to work. As any teacher knows, good classroom management is the key to success!
At the beginning of my DTR journey, I thought teaching would be so easy. I have had many high-stress jobs in various fields prior, but there is nothing like teaching. I didn’t know at the time that teaching is a lifestyle, not just a job. What I like most about teaching in Denver Public Schools is that I can actually see that I am doing good for my students. I see them at the beginning of the year and the end of the year and to see their progress is amazing.
Sara Mercadante – Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, 5th Grade
2009-2010 Residency
Teaching at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, 1st Grade
I am from East Brunswick, NJ. I attended undergrad at Rutgers University and majored in Spanish and Anthropology. I graduated four years ago, and moved back to Merida, Mexico, where I had studied abroad and fell in love with the culture. While down there I dabbled in archaeology, but spent most of my time volunteering at a local orphanage teaching English.
After returning to New Jersey, I spent a year or so bouncing between sales jobs. None of which I felt were as rewarding as my brief teaching experience in Mexico. And that’s what turned me on to the prospect of being a teacher, and eventually, to find Denver Teacher Residency.
I completed my residency at McMeen Elementary in a third grade classroom. The most important thing I learned during my residency year was how to manage a classroom. I entered into teaching knowing next to nothing about kids, so this gave me a solid foundation from which to work. As any teacher knows, good classroom management is the key to success!
At the beginning of my DTR journey, I thought teaching would be so easy. I have had many high-stress jobs in various fields prior, but there is nothing like teaching. I didn’t know at the time that teaching is a lifestyle, not just a job. What I like most about teaching in Denver Public Schools is that I can actually see that I am doing good for my students. I see them at the beginning of the year and the end of the year and to see their progress is amazing.