2010-2011 Residency Teaching at Cole Arts & Science Academy, 2nd Grade
Sarah entered Denver Teacher Residency after spending two years as an AmeriCorps*VISTA at the University of Denver’s Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning. While at DU Sarah helped to develop and maintain DU’s relationships with Denver Public Schools through service learning opportunities for DPS students. After balancing her time in the office and DPS classrooms, Sarah saw that her true passion was being in the classroom, working with students to reach their academic goals. To Sarah DTR is about more than being an effective teacher; it is about dedicating her career and life to closing the achievement gap and supporting students in DPS.
In her own words: “The greatest learning that I take with me from my residency year is REFLECTION AND COLLABORATION. After each day, I take a moment to think about what is and is not working in my classroom and modify it so that students are more likely to achieve. When I’m struggling with students, a curriculum or a procedure, I know to ask for help! There are many talented professionals around me who have great ways to support me. Being a teacher is a lot more than just lesson planning. It is advocating for my students, providing first aid, building relationships, playing at recess, challenging yourself to think deeper, reflecting, and so many more roles.
Denver Public Schools is willing and open to take risks and try new things to support students and help them achieve. One of the hardest parts of teaching is balancing the tension between doing what I can do daily in my classroom to help students achieve, and a need for change in policies and practices so that students can reach their highest potential and achieve.
Sarah Rauenhorst – Cole Arts & Science Academy, 2nd Grade
2010-2011 Residency
Teaching at Cole Arts & Science Academy, 2nd Grade
Sarah entered Denver Teacher Residency after spending two years as an AmeriCorps*VISTA at the University of Denver’s Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning. While at DU Sarah helped to develop and maintain DU’s relationships with Denver Public Schools through service learning opportunities for DPS students. After balancing her time in the office and DPS classrooms, Sarah saw that her true passion was being in the classroom, working with students to reach their academic goals. To Sarah DTR is about more than being an effective teacher; it is about dedicating her career and life to closing the achievement gap and supporting students in DPS.
In her own words: “The greatest learning that I take with me from my residency year is REFLECTION AND COLLABORATION. After each day, I take a moment to think about what is and is not working in my classroom and modify it so that students are more likely to achieve. When I’m struggling with students, a curriculum or a procedure, I know to ask for help! There are many talented professionals around me who have great ways to support me. Being a teacher is a lot more than just lesson planning. It is advocating for my students, providing first aid, building relationships, playing at recess, challenging yourself to think deeper, reflecting, and so many more roles.
Denver Public Schools is willing and open to take risks and try new things to support students and help them achieve. One of the hardest parts of teaching is balancing the tension between doing what I can do daily in my classroom to help students achieve, and a need for change in policies and practices so that students can reach their highest potential and achieve.