Shakira Abney-Wisdom

Training at Grant Beacon Middle School

I am an only child from Stanhope, New Jersey. I graduated from St. John’s University in New York City, NY with a degree in Biology and a minor in Africana Studies. Upon graduation, I moved to Denver to become a Corps Member for City Year, an educational non-profit organization that is also an Americorps program.

Each Friday, City Year Corps Members have various professional development and training sessions. One of the sessions in the fall was an info session presented by the recruiter for Denver Teacher Residency. After my experience in the classroom with City Year, I knew that is where I wanted to be. Denver Teacher Residency seemed like the program that would best prepare me for the field of education. The development of my academic understanding of urban education is, in my eyes, equally important as gaining experience. I appreciate the opportunity to be a resident and learner, developing best practices, and growing in my understanding of the field.

I’m excited about evolving into a teacher and how much I will learn and grow alongside my students. There is so much value in maintaining the mindset of a learner and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to hone my skills that I might best serve students.

I feel that the greatest challenge is being a consistent light. So many wrongs have been committed against children because of circumstances and situations that were out of their control. Our job as their teachers is to provide them with the tools to, not only be successful in the classroom, but to become advocates for the things in which they believe.

Kimberly Achkio

Training at Henry Middle School

I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska and lived there until I left for college at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. During college, I spent time working and attending school in Beijing, China. My husband, Jon, and I were married in Seattle in the summer of 2011. My mother is from Guadalajara, Mexico and my father is from Okinawa Island, Japan. Both of my siblings, Joshua and Yazmin, serve in the United States military. I am always reading at least two books at a time, and my husband and I spend a lot of time rock climbing together. I love to paint and draw. I am currently illustrating a children’s book about the northern lights.

I started working with middle school students during the summer of 2008 in a hands-on math and science enrichment program. I was a teaching assistant for two consecutive summers and from that point on I haven’t been able to stay away from teaching. I have tutored for several years in math, reading, and Mandarin, and last year I worked as a long-term substitute and paraprofessional in Littleton. My friend in China randomly sent me a link to the Denver Teacher Residency website one day.

I learn best when I take a hands-on approach and Denver Teacher Residency gives me the opportunity to jump into new situations every day. After thinking about where I wanted to teach long-term, there was something about Denver Public Schools that I just had to be a part of. I have been so happy during my first weeks at school already!

I am looking forward to learning cool techniques and lessons from other teachers and getting to know all of my students! I have heard so many opinions about urban schools in the community that are very negative. I think these opinions are impressed upon our students and can make students feel diminished. Great teachers want to empower their students, and I’m looking forward to tackling a major challenge we face by breaking down these attitudes and showing our kids that they are really capable of anything.

Sara Jean Banks

Training at Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College

I grew up in a small town in Ohio and after graduating high school I moved to New York City to attend college. After my freshman year of college, I decided that I was not such a big city girl and missed fresh air and the outdoors. For my sophomore year I transferred to the University of Colorado to finish my degree and earned my undergrad in Environmental Science. Currently, I live in Denver with my husband, Joe, and our Golden Retriever, Toby.

Although I swore I would never become a teacher, after graduation I was hired as an outdoor science instructor at and outdoor environmental camp in Texas. Soon after my husband, who was working for the Air Force, was transferred to Hawaii, away we went. We were there for three years and during that time I worked in tobacco control for a teen movement as their Oahu Island Coordinator, as well as for a drug prevention agency as for their teen resource and information service. Both were incredible experiences and will forever inspire me.

While looking for a job after moving back to the Denver area, I was at a career resource fair and stumbled upon the Denver Teacher Residency resource booth. Although I was not super interested at the time, the recruiter convinced me to check out the program online.  Once I read about DTR and its mission, I could not stop thinking about it. I would literally lose sleep at night thinking about it and knew that I needed to apply.

I chose the Denver Teacher Residency because I knew that if I ever became a teacher I wanted to be a great teacher. DTR prepares you differently than other programs that are  very classroom based. I really loved that our curriculum was tailored to the demographics of the district in which I will be teaching. In addition, I loved that we would be provided with a year-long residency that allows us to discover our practice as a teacher while we are learning.

In my opinion, teaching’s biggest challenges are reaching ALL of your students and the time and energy that requires. In my previous work at the Denver Family Crisis Center, I saw first-hand the instability some of these kids face. Once they started attending their neighborhood schools it was not uncommon for them to move several times, runaway, end up in the hospital, or even jail. Many of them missed prolonged periods of school. As a teacher, it takes a lot of time and dedication to hunt these kids down and make sure they are getting what they need to learn.

I can’t wait to get to know and learn about all the kids at my host school. This is the best part of the job – the kids, the kids, the kids! Getting to blow random stuff up in chemistry lab is a close second!

Holly Barker

Training at Grant Beacon Middle School

I am married and have three children ages 12, 18, and 21. As a child, I loved school, and I have loved volunteering in my children’s classrooms. Learning new things and being around others who are learning energizes me! My undergraduate degree is in English and I worked as a trainer for a software company before having kids. I considered myself a stay-at-home mom for many years, but I have always worked part time. I managed rental properties for a while and most recently worked for a graphics company making stickers for the bicycle industry.

I first heard about the Denver Teacher Residency through an ad on Craig’s List and researched more details about the program through the DTR website. I chose the Denver Teacher Residency because the program pairs classroom practice with coursework theory and is tailored to prepare me to work with the needs of urban students specifically in Denver Public Schools.

In the coming year, I am most looking forward to building relationships with students and finding ways to help them be successful. One of the biggest challenges for urban teachers is the wide variety of background knowledge and skill levels present in one classroom. Differentiating instruction to meet individual student needs is difficult but crucial.

Jordan Bickel

Training at Sabin Elementary

I grew up in Carmel Valley on the Central Coast in California.  I have a younger brother and a half sister. Part of my passion for education developed from the experience of having a sister who is 13 years younger than me. In May, I finished my undergraduate degree in Music with a minor in Biology at the University of Redlands in California. During my studies there, I tutored at a Title 1 school where my passion for urban education became a career goal.

I first heard about the Denver Teacher Residency from a simple Google search. I knew I wanted to apply for an alternative teaching program focused on urban education. When I found one that also incorporated a Master’s degree, I knew it was the best choice because DTR incorporated the best part of all alternative teaching programs.

The coursework at DU is vigorous, the schools residents work in are carefully picked out, and I got to move to Denver! I also love the size of my cohort. It’s big enough that I have a huge support group and plenty of people to reflect with regarding our teaching experiences. However, it is also intimate enough that I’m comfortable to reach out to each of them.

I’m most looking forward to working with the students in my class and watching them grow and learn with me. This will be a learning year for me and I plan to take everything in! I’m also excited about my relationship with my mentor teacher (who is awesome!) and plan to pick her brain about teaching. I’m eager for my coursework at DU and how I can apply every new bit of knowledge to my practice.

Jamie Bruce

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I grew up in Wichita, KS and I am the youngest of four children. Sports and academics have always been a big part of my life. I have always loved working with kids and have known for a few years that I wanted to become a teacher.

I graduated from Stanford University in June 2012 and moved to Denver right after graduation. While teaching is my first full-time career, I have worked as a coach, event planner, and at a non-profit.

I knew I wanted to be a teacher by getting my master’s degree and through learning hands on. I have always loved Colorado. So once I saw that Denver Public Schools offers a program with the exact mission and program structure I was looking for, I knew the Denver Teacher Residency would be the perfect fit for me.

It seems a lot of urban teachers struggle because they do not have the supports they need to be successful in such a challenging environment. Since the teachers do not have the proper support, the turn over rate of teachers is very high. Denver Teacher Residency supports us through this.

I am looking forward to working with a group of students for a whole year and getting to experience the growth and change the students will go through. I love how I will get to witness the growth along side another teacher who knows the students as well as I do. I also love how I can really use this year to learn and work on making my teaching practice the best it can be.

Carolina Bacallao Chessman

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I am originally from Miami, FL and studied Political Science as an undergrad at the University of Florida (Go Gators!). I originally thought I would go to law school but after working at a law firm, I decided law was not for me. I decided I wanted to do some service and applied to AmeriCorps. I got an AmeriCorps VISTA position at a literacy non-profit in Jackson Hole, WY and moved there site unseen.  I lived there for three years and although it was an amazing experience due to Jackson’s natural beauty and meeting my husband, I missed living in a city. I have always loved Denver because it is the perfect compromise for between city and mountain life.

When I was in AmeriCorps, I taught English as a Second Language (ESL) to adults and that was when I first fell in love with education.  When my AmeriCorps term was over, I applied for a job as an ESL paraprofessional at the local elementary school and loved working with children immediately.  After a year of working as an ESL para, the district I worked for needed a bilingual para in their bilingual program so I then worked for a year at the K-2 school before I finally moved to Denver for Denver Teacher Residency.

Denver Teacher Residency had everything I was looking for in an alternative licensure program. I knew I wanted a master’s degree without taking too much time away from being in the classroom and DTR offered me that perfect combo.

I am looking forward being able to be in the classroom with support to really hone in my skills before I get a classroom of my own. I believe that this approach will allow me to avoid a lot of the stress that comes with the first year of teaching.

The biggest challenge I see for urban teachers today is truly knowing your student population. Luckily DTR is training me to understand how important our kids’ stories are in order to effectively instruct them and close the achievement gap.

Christina Dehning

Training at Ellis Elementary

I am a Colorado native who loves taking advantage of the wonderful outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer. Growing up I enjoyed going skiing and hiking in Breckenridge. Recently I had the opportunity to travel abroad and loved all of the culture and history I got to experience. Both of my parents teach in Denver Public Schools so I have been around education my entire life and am excited to now begin my own teaching career.

I graduated from Metropolitan State College of Denver, and then found a job as a Math Fellow tutoring in the Far Northeast region of Denver Public Schools. I worked at Green Valley Elementary with fourth grade students and began to love teaching. The experiences I had as a Math Fellow solidified my decision that I wanted to pursue being a teacher as a career. I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to spend the rest of my career teaching students in Denver. While at Green Valley, I heard about the Denver Teacher Residency; two of the teachers there were graduates of the program and both were excellent teachers.  When I talked to them about their experience they highly recommended I apply.

One of the major reasons I chose the Denver Teacher Residency is all of the superb things I heard about the program. Along with several teachers, both of the administrators at Green Valley also spoke highly of the program.  In addition, I spent some time perusing the website and talking to other people in the district and immediately saw that this was one of the best teacher preparation programs in the country. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with a mentor teacher for a year, and am excited to learn and grow as an educator.

One thing that I am really looking forward to is the opportunity to work with a lead teacher for a full year while taking master’s-level classes. I hope to be able to immediately apply what I learn in my coursework into our classroom and make a positive change in the students. I think being in a classroom for an entire year is very beneficial because we get to see how to set up a classroom, create a positive culture, and be part of how to end a school year, and everything in between.

One major challenge of urban teachers today is meeting the needs of the different levels of students that enter the classroom. Children come in from a large variety of backgrounds and an effective teacher needs to be able to cater to all of those. I believe that the Denver Teacher Residency is one of the best preparation programs to meet this need because it is specifically geared for teaching in an urban environment.

Tess Dougherty

Training at Grant Beacon Middle School

I am from Memphis, Tennessee where I went to a big public high school. It was there that I had my first exposure to educational inequity. Over my four years there, I became disappointed by the disparity that existed between students in my school’s honor’s program and the students in my school’s “standard” program. My exposure to this institutional disparity of opportunity began my path towards education and teaching.

Prior to DTR, I went to the University of Denver for my undergraduate degree in sociology. I took several classes on the sociology of education and further explored the institutional inequalities that exist in our school system. I began tutoring and mentoring DPS students and fell in love with teaching and the students. I felt that it was through education that I could make the biggest positive impact on society and on people’s lives. After college, I spent a full-time year of service with the Americorps program, City Year, where I served at Rachel B. Noel Middle School in Denver Public Schools. My Americorps experience in DPS further confirmed my commitment to education and to the students of DPS.

I first heard about DTR while at the University of Denver for my undergraduate degree. Uncertain whether I wanted to go straight into teaching, I served in Americorps for a year and had DTR in the back of my mind the whole time.

I was accepted to other teaching programs, but I really felt like DTR, with its residency model and year of master’s coursework, would prepare me better than any other program out there. Having been in the program for several months now, I have no doubt that I made the right decision.

I have learned so much and continue to learn a million new things every day. The mentoring relationship with the lead teacher and the first-hand daily exposure in a consistent classroom all year is invaluable for any new teacher. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Urban teachers are given a huge responsibility every day. They are tasked with teaching a diverse set of students in a way that meets each of their specific needs. This can be very difficult and requires that teachers first look at themselves to see where their own biases exist. I am most looking forward to making meaningful connections with my students. I am also really looking forward to growing as a teacher and learning everything I can with this wonderful opportunity I’ve been given.

Cathy Elliott

Training at Ellis Elementary

I am a proud Colorado native. I have been married 20 years to my husband Jim, and we have five amazing children. I was lucky enough to stay home with my children when they were young, and after several more recent part-time positions in the education field, I decided to seek out a permanent role teaching. When I am not studying or teaching, I am found at various sporting events and activities for my kids. I also like to run and read. I graduated from the University of Portland with a degree in Communications and a Sociology minor. After a stint working for Head Start I worked in non-profit and legislative public relations.

I found out about Denver Teacher Residency while looking at other jobs and searching the Internet. I really liked the idea of how courses are combined with the actual experience of teaching in the classroom. What I learn today in my coursework can go right into action the next day teaching in the classroom, and then be reflected back upon the next week.

There are so many challenges that present themselves – whether it involves language barriers, socio-economic impacts or constantly changing migration of students.  I think the problem I have been grappling with most is how to reach every student in the classroom while differentiating my lessons so that all children are learning what they need to learn and continuing to grow within their ability and need. I am looking forward to becoming a well-trained and effective teacher and am hoping to be well prepared to handle myself and lead children to academic achievement.

Sara L. Farmer

Training at Gust Elementary

I am a St. Louis, Missouri native who has been living in Denver for almost five years. I attended the University of Missouri-Columbia (Go Tigers!) and graduated in 2007 with a B.S. in Textile & Apparel Management and a minor in sociology. After working in a boutique and slinging pizzas directly following graduation, I realized that my life had no value if I was not helping people or contributing to society. (Which you would think I would have figured out prior to choosing a degree path…)

Thus, I relocated to Denver to serve a term as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Mile High Youth Corps. This experience placed me in an environmental education setting and I realized I wanted to go back to school to become a teacher. As a product of retired public school teachers, I had sworn off the field of education for years, however, you cannot fight what is in your blood.

I began coursework at Metropolitan State University of Denver in elementary education and Spanish and acquired and Early Childhood Education Paraprofessional position with Denver Public Schools. I worked at Johnson Elementary school for three years and at Monarch Montessori of Denver for two summers. Paraprofessionals within the district received an e-mail about DTR and since I knew I wanted to become a classroom teacher, it caught my eye.

I chose DTR because it offered an opportunity for higher education (I love being a student), a full-year experience within an urban DPS classroom with an experienced and successful teacher, the chance to work with driven, intelligent like-minded people, and most importantly training in explicit DPS practices and teaching frameworks.

I am looking forward to assisting kindergarten students in building STRONG academic foundations that will lead to their academic achievement as they progress through school.  Also, the 500 pictures, 45 bracelets, and 3 colds (not so much) I will receive from students this year.

The biggest challenge for urban teachers today is finding the most effective strategy to serve all the different needs of their students (often at the same time) in any given day of school. My hope is I will come closer to this solution this year!

Lindsey Ferguson

Training at Sabin Elementary

I am from upstate New York and moved to Denver, CO to part of the Denver Teacher Residency. I went to the University of Notre Dame for my undergrad and did a summer service learning project that inspired me to be a teacher. I worked at a summer school with children living in Denver’s public housing and fell in love with my students, as well as teaching.

I chose the Denver Teacher Residency because it had everything I was looking for in an education program. I think this program adds a great deal of support mixed in with classroom learning and personal experiences.

I think one of the biggest challenges for urban teachers today is the varying level at which students enter the classroom. I am looking forward to working with the children and getting hands-on experience in the classroom. I am also excited to see how much I will learn this year in order to meet each student’s needs.

Marguerite Finnegan

Training at Grant Beacon Middle School

I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Arts and Humanities. Last year I worked with City Year Denver, which introduced me to my passion for teaching (and particularly teaching math), and to the students of Denver Public Schools.

The DTR recruiter made a presentation to our corps right about when I was starting to consider teaching as a career. I wanted to get into the classroom and start making a difference as soon as I could. Of all the alternative licensure programs I researched, DTR appeared to give its participants the best preparation and support to make them highly effective teachers. The emphasis placed on making teaching a long-term, sustainable career appealed to me.

I know that it doesn’t matter how brilliantly I can explain Geometry if none of my students care – so it becomes my job to be an intrinsic motivator before I can deliver or facilitate  knowledge. And for those of us –  like me – who come from totally different backgrounds than the majority of our students (and that’s most urban teachers) cultural competency is a far more complex issue than I ever expected.

So this year I can’t wait to get to know my students and grow as an adult and educator.  But really, it’s all about the students – they’re what makes this hard work become natural, fulfilling fun.

Megan Fischbach

Training at Henry Middle School

I grew up in Golden, CO and will probably never leave!  I love to hike, camp, run, mountain bike, play tennis, ski, golf, and anything else I can find to do in the outdoors. I have a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication with an emphasis in broadcast news and a minor in political science. After completing that degree, I changed my mind about which career I wanted to pursue and later added a major in mathematics.  I worked as an estimator at a commercial construction company and also worked as an AVID tutor for Denver Public Schools. I heard about the Denver Teacher Residency from a friend who was also interested in applying to the program, and chose it because unlike a traditional licensing program, I get the chance to work in a classroom for a full year, four days a week. I believe the best way to learn is by doing, and I loved the idea of getting a lot of experience working in the classroom.

I think the biggest challenge for urban teachers today is working around issues outside of a teacher’s control, like low student attendance. I am excited to build relationships with the students and my mentor teacher in order to combat those challenges.

Anna Fure-Slocum

Training at Cole Arts and Science Academy, 1st Grade

I grew up in small-town Minnesota with two parents who worked in the education field. I have spent my life as a student, so I am excited to be moving into a teaching role. Having always been “that” kid who loved school, I have known for years that I wanted to become a teacher, I was just unsure of what path to take. My experiences, passion, family, and education all led me straight to Denver Teacher Residency. I couldn’t have made a better choice.

I graduated in June 2012 from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota with a degree in Sociology/Anthropology. I was able to study abroad in Guatemala on an anthropology program and spend many weeks wandering through the tropical forest and then staying with a host family. It was an amazing experience that extended my love for learning in new directions. More importantly, I was able to use my undergraduate education to conduct a senior thesis on parental perceptions of education.

I loved being able to combine my interests in anthropology with my passion for education. Working with parents in a nearby Minnesota town, I heard amazing stories of their own educational experiences, their hopes for their children, and ways that they believed the schools could better serve them. This experience gave me new insight into education and took me a step back from the classroom, broadening my gaze. In my teaching this year and for many years to come, I will strive to work closely with the families of my students to ensure that my classroom is truly a successful and safe space.

I spent my undergraduate years leading an after school tutoring/college access program, and my summers running a neighborhood science day camp. These experiences helped to expand my views on education, pushing me to work with students of all ages. They were the most rewarding years that I had experienced to date, making me want to continue that work and go farther by becoming a classroom teacher. I also knew that I wanted to truly refine and build my skills as an educator before entering my own classroom, giving me the tools to allow all of my students to succeed from day one. This, along with the values of DTR, pushed me straight into the program. Denver Teacher Residency’s goal of providing an excellent education for all resonates in its day-to-day practice, preparing me to be able to create a sense of curiosity, awe, and love of learning in my students.

Ernest Garibay

Training at Grant Beacon Middle School

I was born and raised in Denver and I attended Denver Public Schools across the city. After graduating from high school, I earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Colorado. I spent the past year in a Math Fellowship at the Denver Center for International Studies in Montbello, teaching ninth grade students Algebra 1 in a small-group setting.

In my personal life, I enjoy hiking, mountain climbing, skiing, snowboarding, swimming, spending time with my friends, and playing guitar. I am very excited to be working at Grant Beacon Middle School this year teaching eigth grade Algebra and having the opportunity to give back to the Denver community that has given me so much.

Matthew Graeve

Training at Grant Beacon Middle School

I am a Denver native who has always had a passion for education. I grew up with a mother as a teacher and a grandfather as a dean of a college in Iowa.  I did not choose to enter the classroom right out of college. Instead, I pursued a degree in environmental biology at the University of Colorado and worked as an engineer for a local company. Most of my time after college was spent in the field working to build water treatment facilities around the Denver metro area.

I was still drawn to education, and even while working as an engineer I would teach after-school math programs in Commerce City. I decided that the days I was happiest and most fulfilled were the days I was working with students. I made the leap and decided to apply for the Denver Teacher Residency after attending a semester of graduate school at another local university and hearing about the program from a friend. The opportunity to be in the classroom right away and for the entire school year was very appealing to me. I feel very grateful that I was accepted in the program and am really looking forward to the coming years in Denver Public Schools.I came to understand that working with a master teacher for a year before entering the classroom on my own would really set me up for success.

I feel that the biggest challenge for urban teachers today is differentiation and closing the achievement gap. We are working hard to make sure every student succeeds while no student is held back. I am really looking forward to getting the classroom experience while working with a master teacher. I think that time working with students will be what I rely on for my success in my first of solo teaching.

Sara Hanlon

Training at Ellis Elementary

I worked for 5280 Magazine for 11 years. Then, after having my third child, I stepped out of the workplace to stay home with my kids.I have three kids – 7, 6 and 2.

I always knew that I would go back to work, but this time I knew I had to be spending my time at work in the service of social justice. I chose the Denver Teacher Residency because there is no better training if you are committed to closing the achievement gap. I feel very, very lucky to be here.

I feel that there are too many well-­‐intentioned teachers who have tried and failed at making a difference in their classrooms and have given up. I’m looking forward to putting all the knowledge that I’m learning in class and in the classroom to good use, and hope to combat that apathy.

Kelly Hansen

Training at Gust Elementary

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, and decided to head down south to Sunny San Diego for college. I was a four-year Varsity rower at UC San Diego, where I got to wake up literally at the crack of dawn every morning to sweat it out at practice. After graduating in 2009, my dog and I packed up and moved to Denver because apparently San Diego’s perfect weather was just too much to handle, and now I’ve been here for three years!

At UC San Diego I double-majored in Communication and Sociology, aka “I have no idea what I want to do after I graduate.”  I served a year with AmeriCorps, where I ran a high school peer mentoring program at Abraham Lincoln High School in Denver. I then decided to flip sides and I started doing logistics and volunteer coordinator for fundraising events for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. While I loved every minute of working at LLS, I missed the kids. I was perusing the DU Morgridge College of Education website to learn about teacher prep programs and I stumbled upon DTR. After researching many different teacher prep programs, I finally set my heart and eyes on the Denver Teacher Residency and I am so grateful to be here this year.

I absolutely love the idea of combining theory and practice in the same year. Being able to put into practice what we’re learning in class, sometimes even the next day is so beneficial. I was also really drawn to the idea of a residency (or apprentice) year, and felt like this program would best set me up for success as I become my own teacher of record.

I’m looking forward to all of the relationships I will be making, whether they be with my mentor  teacher, my co-resident, the students, or their parents.  I know that these will all be lasting relationships as I will always remember them as my first.

I think the biggest challenge is being able to maintain the passion for closing the achievement gap when there are veteran teachers out there who don’t have the same passion or drive.  Sticking to our guns is going to be the only way to really make changes within the educational system and as a DTR Resident, I know that what I’m going to be prepared to do after this lesson is going to make a difference.

Michael Seth Headrick

Training at Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College

I am originally from Summerville, GA and attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. I moved to Denver in 2008 and got married in September 2011. From an early age I knew that I wanted to teach, yet I could never quite get the courage up to pursue it. After spending the last school year volunteering in Denver Public Schools I decided that it was finally time for me to begin a teaching career.

I first heard about the Denver Teacher Residency from a member of my current cohort. My father-in-law met her and mentioned that I was looking for an alternative licensure program. I chose the Denver Teacher Residency initially because it sounded like a great program model, both from a financial and transitional standpoint. The fact that I could transition into teaching while obtaining a master’s degree that is reimbursed was very appealing to me. After learning more about the program and meeting the DTR staff during my demonstration day, I was convinced that this program was the perfect match for me.

I believe the biggest challenge for urban teachers today is sustainable academic growth across diverse student populations and I am very much looking forward to continuing to grow as an educator during the upcoming year. Additionally, I am looking forward to helping the students of MLK Jr. Early College to grow academically and as people.

Tracy Holt

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I am a native of Denver and attended McGlone, Hamilton, and graduated from Montbello High School in Denver Public Schools. I studied at The University of Denver where I earned a degree in Business Administration. I worked in DPS as a Secretary II and heard what a wonderful program it is, so I applied.

I am completing my residency at Cole Arts and Science Academy (C.A.S.A) in special education with 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade. The Denver Teaching Residency is a great opportunity for everyone involved. I knew that it was the right program for me because I have worked with in the district.

I am looking forward to all the experience we will gain by being in the classroom with our mentor teacher for a year. We have an opportunity to learn so much before we have our own class. Being in an urban setting gives me an opportunity to work with English as a second language learners, I am very excited about that. I hope to someday be fluent in speaking Spanish.

Margaret Hunt

Training at Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College

I moved all over the south and east coasts before settling in Denver with my husband six years ago. After graduating from Wake Forest University with a degree in Health and Exercise Science, I started working in health care. But through a part-time job in outdoor education at the Colorado Mountain Club, I realized that teaching was actually my true passion.

I first heard about the Denver Teacher Residency through the NOLS alumni job newsletter.  I never really knew how I could switch to a career in education until I found DTR. It seemed like the perfect open door.

I chose DTR because I think it prepares teachers better than any other teaching program.  I don’t want to be just any teacher; I want to be an excellent teacher and one who can effectively close the achievement gap. DTR sets residents up for success by providing an accountable community and challenging them to be their best.

This year, I am most looking forward to building relationships with my fellow teachers and students, and seeing real academic growth in the students we serve. I’m so excited to be a part of closing the achievement gap and building stronger urban communities.

I think one of the biggest challenges for urban teachers today is career longevity. So many teachers get burned out. Going into this, I knew that I wanted to teach for the long haul.  Through community, support and plenty of challenge, DTR is preparing me to be a teacher for life.

Margaret Huth

Training at Ellis Elementary

My name is Margaret Huth but I go by MG. I am originally from Oak Park, IL and I went to school at University of Wisconsin, Madison. In 209 I joined Americorps NCCC for two years where I travelled to communities across the U.S. doing community service projects.  After Americorps I traveled and saw ads on Craig’s List and Idealist.org about the Denver Teacher Residency while searching for jobs. I then moved to Denver and worked at The Little Gym until I joined DTR.

I have always wanted to be a teacher but I was not sure when I wanted to start. This program jumped out at me because it prepared me for the kind of teaching I wanted to do.  I love that I am able to earn a master’s degree as well as have a full year of experience in a classroom before I have the responsibility of a classroom to myself.

I’m looking forward to learning how to become the teacher in the classroom.  I have worked in classrooms but I have never had the full responsibility of the students. I am also really excited to get to know a classroom full of kids for an entire year!

Natalie Jacobs

Training at Sabin Elementary

As an undergraduate I studied at both the University of Chicago and the University of Denver. I majored in Sociology and Urban Studies and graduated from DU in 2011. While I lived in Chicago I worked in a neighborhood school in the southside where I realized how important effective elementary education is in urban areas. I also worked as a counselor at a summer camp in Maine for four summers during my undergrad.

I heard about the Denver Teacher Residency through DU when I started researching teacher prep programs. I had started a more traditional program right after graduating from DU, but found I wanted more of a balance between theory and practice. I chose DTR because I appreciate its long-term view of teacher training and in-depth opportunities in the classroom with extensive feedback and growth opportunities.

I believe the biggest challenge for urban teachers today is overcoming gaps in childrens’ knowledge that originates from various external factors. It is difficult to see academic growth and self-confidence in students who are constantly attempting to catch up to where they’re supposed to be. Over the next year, I am most looking forward to developing relationships with the students in my class and continuing to build my repertoire of teaching skills. Most of all, I’m looking forward to seeing the growth in my students academically and socially.

Angela Jacobson

Training at Henry Middle School

I am married and the mother of two daughters. I was born in Utah and have lived in Colorado for 14 years. I hold a BS in Exercise Physiology and managed a cardio/pulmonary rehabilitation center prior to joining the Denver Teacher Residency.

I chose DTR because its master’s program, practicum-based work in DPS, and the support model. I am looking forward to learning everything I can from my classroom teachers and lead teacher.

Maggie Johnson

Training at Sabin Elementary

I am from Chicago, IL and I have two brothers and my parents who still live there. I went to school in Nashville, TN and received my degree in Exercise Science from Belmont University where I also played volleyball for four years.

I was looking to move out Denver and did some online research about alternative licensure programs. I chose DTR because of the residency model and learning on the job and not just sitting in a classroom. I’m looking forward to working with the students and learning from them.

We always try and push students struggles of something else (family life, disability, poverty), and I believe it’s time to take full responsibility for our students and their learning regardless of other circumstances.

Isabelle King

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I grew up in Boulder, CO and graduated from Fairview High School. I went to college at St. Olaf in Minnesota. While there, I spent a year studying abroad in Chile and Spain. I also spent many years working and volunteering in schools in Minnesota and Denver. I graduated from college in May 2012 with a Bachelor’s in Spanish and Multilingualism.

I found the Denver Teacher Residency on the Urban Teacher Residency United website while searching for alternative licensure programs.

I chose DTR because I feel it is the best preparation possible for success as a teacher. Because we spend an entire year in a classroom, learn from a mentor teacher, and also complete a master’s degree, we will have all the skills and knowledge we need to be excellent teachers right from the beginning of our first year.

I’m looking forward to all the amazing experiences I’ll have with my students and with the other residents in my cohort! I’m excited to get to know everyone, watch my students learn and grow, and learn and grow myself!

I believe the biggest challenge is that we need to change and be flexible in response to our rapidly changing world and our students’ needs.

Nikida Koraly

Training at Henry Middle School

Moving to Denver, teaching urban students math and science, and earning a master’s degree have all been goals of mine since I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and the Denver Teacher Residency has given me the opportunity to do them all at once! I grew up in coastal NC, but my marketing background landed me in Knoxville, TN for a volunteer recruitment and environmental education position through where I fell in love with being in an urban classroom and enjoying all of the activities that mountains have to offer.

After a few years of working with biodiesel and locally focused café start-ups, I had an “a-ha” moment that made me want to get back in the classroom as soon as possible. I stumbled on DTR at the suggestion of a Denver native and the more I found out about it, the more I was sure it was the program for me. Working directly with a successful teacher is motivational, inspirational, and strikingly effective. I am looking so forward to continuing the unique chance to combine the studies of DU’s graduate coursework with hours upon hours of deliberate observations to create my own style, confidence, and beliefs as an educator.

On top of the personal benefits, the DTR cohort model creates a strong network of support that I believe will help each member stand up to the challenges of urban teachers today. Fostering a culture of belief in academic achievement is vital to the success of the students that DTR serves, and the positive support of my cohort is infectious throughout our classes and our school.

Melissa Leach

Training at Gust Elementary

I am so incredibly excited to be in the Denver Teacher Residency! I went to The University of Colorado, Boulder, and studied English and Linguistics. After college, I worked professionally in theatre for a year before deciding it was too crazy, although I still own a theatre company in Denver – The Three Leaches – and spend my spare time working on shows. I love the arts and hope that I can incorporate this passion into my teaching.

I then spent three years as an assistant teacher in various schools and finally knew that I wanted to pursue teaching as a career. Last year I worked at Cole Arts and Science Academy, which is a host site for DTR residents. After seeing how well prepared they were for the education world, I decided to apply. Again, I knew many people who went through the program and spoke very highly of it.

I am looking forward to working with my mentor teacher at Gust to really learn the nuts and bolts of Special Education. The biggest challenge is to not only have high expectations and standards in your own classroom, and to strive for change there, but to also help those around you work for change as well.

Joel Leavins

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I have always been involved in the education sector from tutoring in high school to teaching English as Second language abroad in the Dominican Republic. Before joining the Denvef Teacher Residency, I worked at a school in the Dominican Republic as an assistant in classes instructed in English. In the evening when I was not working as a teacher’s assistant, I taught Adult English as a Second Language classes.

While living in the DR, I had a neighbor who was from Denver. I told her my interest with working with English Language Learners and she recommended the Denver Teacher Residency to me.

I choose Denver Teacher Residency because I wanted a program that allowed me to practice what I was learning in my classes. I’m a very hands-on, constructivist type learner and I knew that DTR could provide me with the practice of theory that I need to become an effective teacher.

I look forward to getting to know each and every student.  Every student and every person in this world has a story and I just want to lend myself to being a person that they can talk to. I think this, too, in the end will ultimately allow me to be successful with my students.

Wade McManus

Training at Gust Elementary

I grew up in Jefferson County, just outside Denver, in a small town named Conifer. Growing up in such proximity to Denver, I have a great connection with the city and its community. I truly call it home.

Prior to the Denver Teaching Residency, I attended college at Colorado State University.  In between college and the DTR I worked in Child Welfare, gaining much experience in working with children in a variety of environments. Once I firmly decide that I want to be a teacher started talking about it with people about my aspirations. A Denver Public Schools kindergarten teacher told me about the DTR and I never looked back.

I believe the Denver Teacher Residency provides the best opportunity to receive a world-class education, while simultaneously providing the practical experience inside the classroom. Ultimately, I believe that no other program could better prepare me for my life as an educator.

I look forward to a year with my students, and watching them learn before my eyes.  I am happy to join a new community of dedicated educators and learners.

One of the biggest challenges that we have as urban teachers is the ability to effectively engage, and instruct, in way that can reach 100% of our students. Therefore, I believe it is important for us evaluate data, and consistently monitor ourselves.

Jimmy Menter

Training at Sabin Elementary

I grew up in Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan in 2008 with a bachelor’s in English and Creative Writing. After college, my wife and I served two years with the Peace Corps in Paraguay, where I taught health education in my community. I had always been interested in being involved in education. My experience in Paraguay inspired me to pursue teaching when I returned to the U.S.

I found the Denver Teacher Residency online when searching for pathways into becoming a teacher. I was impressed by the program’s commitment to the people and the communities it serves, and I felt that the residency-year model would best support me as a learner as I made my transition in leading a classroom.

I am excited to learn from my lead teacher and to develop my skills as an educator. I also can’t wait to get to know my students and work with them throughout the year.

I feel that the persistence of the achievement gap is the greatest challenge teachers face in urban school districts today. Without action from teachers and political leaders alike, we will fail to provide another generation of young men and women the tools they need to succeed upon graduation from our public schools. As a Denver Teacher Resident, I hope to become a part of the solution to that problem.

Amanda Mitchell

Training at Ellis Elementary

I am a proud Colorado native and product of Denver Public Schools. I studied Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Colorado in Boulder. I had the intent to go to law school, and worked for the U.S. Department of Justice as a Legal Assistant throughout college. I became dissuaded by the idea that a career in law would impact the community in a way in which I desired. After college, I spread my wings a bit and moved to Seattle, where I played in the rain and worked with several young students as a tutor. I was happy to move back to Denver when I received an offer from the Denver Teacher Residency – the mountains here are better!

After an invigorating volunteer experience with the Bridge Project in Denver, I began searching for alternate routes into teaching. Fortunately, I stumbled upon the Denver Teacher Residency. I chose to become a Denver Teacher Resident because my goals and values align with the DTR vision. As a Denver Teacher Resident, I feel confident that I will be prepared to make a positive impact in Denver classrooms. Teacher preparation programs like the Denver Teacher Residency will bridge the achievement gap.

In the coming year, I most look forward to working with the many diverse students within DPS. I am encouraged to know that my efforts will positively impact the lives of the students I work with.

Public perception of urban schools is dismal. This is a big challenge for urban teachers because we must work within a system that is predicated on the ideas and opinions of community members. It is my goal to help change those community members’ negative perceptions of Denver Public Schools by providing an effective learning experience for Denver students.

Shafiqa Mobarez

Training at Gust Elementary

I was born in Afghanistan and came to the U.S. with my family as refugees at the age of four. My childhood was filled with a lot of learning of how to survive in a new society, life, and culture here in the U.S. then in each city and school we moved to. It was a lot of learning on my own or relying on my older siblings for direction.

Growing up, my parents always expressed that education was the key to a better life. My sister and I are the first women in the history of my family to go to school and become educated. I began college at the University of San Diego, then transferred to CU Boulder my sophomore year. My favorite part of college was studying abroad through Semester at Sea in which I sailed around the world visiting over 12 countries while taking college classes on the ship.

After college, I became the Family Liaison at a refugee resettlement agency working with refugee youth from around the world. I dealt with any and all education and youth related issues from enrolling them in school when they first arrived to running the agency scholarship program and its leadership workshops. It was through this position that I first realized my love for working with kids and began seriously considering teaching as a career choice.

I first learned about the Denver Teacher Residency through a job search when I was looking for positions that worked with high-needs children. I had also been looking into master’s programs. So when I learned about DTR I was thrilled of the dual purpose it could serve in meeting my career and academic goals. After attending an information session, I was hooked and knew this was the perfect program for me.

The decision to become a DTR for me was centered on the way in which the program is structured. Being able to learn hands-on skills while gaining my masters degree in education is a major reason I chose this program. I am especially excited for the gradual release approach through the first year of student teaching alongside a lead teacher, which guarantees first-hand experience in the classroom.

I am most looking forward to working with the students this year and learning how to best serve their needs in a productive and effective way. I can’t wait to be the teacher who can motivate her students to learn and love learning.

The biggest challenge I see for urban teachers is working with a population of students that are dealing with greater hurdles in their lives besides education. I know that for many students there is a minimal amount of financial, academic, and even emotional support their parents can provide due to so many different reasons. This makes learning even more difficult to have as their only priority. I want to make learning relevant to these students’ lives while still validating the realities of their lives and their other priorities.

Coza Perry

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I was born and raised in Denver, went to school out east, and missed Denver so much that I immediately moved home. I graduated from Tufts University outside of Boston in 2010 with a degree in English and Comparative Religions. I spent the first two years out of college doing event planning before realizing I need to be working with kids. I worked at a summer camp for an insanely long time because I absolutely love working with kids.

I found the Denver Teacher Residency online and chose to apply because of what it stands for and how it goes about accomplishing its mission. I am passionate about education – I think we need programs like this one in order to ensure equity for all students, which I believe is currently lacking. I also wanted and needed the support that DTR provides because I think it will help me to really be the best teacher I can be. I’m looking forward to getting to know my students, and learning as much as possible!

Kathryn Peters

Training at Sabin Elementary

I graduated from Tufts University with a degree in Engineering. Immediately following graduation, I moved out to Colorado for a job in the engineering consulting sector. Although the work was interesting, I found myself volunteering a lot as an after school tutor. I wasn’t happy, so I decided to join the Peace Corps. I served for two years in Honduras in their water and sanitation program. I helped design and maintain potable water systems and trained the people how to take care of them. I returned in May of 2011 and found myself back in the engineering private sector. In Honduras, I saw first-hand how education, or the lack thereof, can affect an person, village, or country. It really is a civil rights issue.

I first heard about the Denver Teacher Residency from a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Google group. I chose DTR because I know that education is failing our country. It was easy to go abroad and pick apart someone else’s education system, however, when I came back to the U.S. I was ashamed. I knew I had to contribute to the solution. I looked into Teach for America, but it was only a two-year commitment and I wanted to dedicate myself to the people of Denver. It’s been my home more or less since college and am happy to serve this city.

The biggest challenge for urban teachers today is their unpreparedness for the urban classroom. I believe the traditional education curriculum is outdated for our ever diverse, multi-cultural classrooms. I am excited to overcome this obstacle as a teacher and am most looking forward to getting to know the kids I will be teaching and their families.

Nelia Peña

Training at Gust Elementary

I was born and mostly raised in Denver, CO and am thrilled to return home to begin my career as an educator. I recently graduated from Harvard University where I studied social studies with an emphasis in Latin America. During my time there, I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Cuba. I also spent three years running an academic summer program for 90 recent immigrant children in Dorchester. This experience was one of the most important of my life and inspired me to pursue a teaching career.

I was pretty familiar with Boston Teacher Residency and began exploring other residency programs online. I thought a residency program is by far the best avenue one can take into urban education. It is thorough, focused on valuing whole children and their cultures, and has an excellent track record. I also wanted to come home to Denver!

I think that a huge challenge that urban educators face is the expectations outsiders (and insiders too) have of the kids and schools. I think that often times people make excuses for kids not learning because of poverty, cultural barriers, etc, which creates low expectations. On the flip side, I think that a lot of people might think that urban educators like DTRs are coming in to save the day. This savior mentality is equally damaging because the communities in which we work possess all the tools necessary to be successful if given the right opportunities. They do not need to be saved by outsiders.

Because of these challenges, I’m really looking forward to seeing kids progress and knowing that I was a part of that success. I’m so excited to learn best practices that I know will continue to help me in my practice.

Margaux Rowley

Training at Ellis Elementary

I am from Michigan but moved to Denver in May of 2011 and took a job with Denver Parks and Recreation before applying to the Denver Teacher Residency. I love living in Colorado and traveling up to the mountains in winter to go skiing but I miss the lakes in Michigan.

I attended college at Middlebury College in Vermont. Prior to DTR I was thinking about pursuing a career as a pharmacist but changed my mind after working for Denver Parks and Recreation. I heard about DTR from a fellow co-worker who knew I was interested in              becoming a teacher.

I chose DTR for several reasons but mainly because I wanted to stay within the Denver community while pursuing a career as a teacher. DTR offers the best program in Denver (and other areas) with its high level of support and commitment to the residents.

I am looking forward to sharing my experience with my fellow residents at Ellis Elementary School. I really enjoy the Denver Teacher Residents I am working with at my host school this year. They provide a great support system and are there to help when needed, particularly with graduate school work.

Leeann Sain

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I am from the great state of Tennessee. My love for the outdoors, as well as acceptance into the Denver Teacher Residency brought me to Colorado. After completing my undergrad at University of Tennessee I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Dominican Republic for two years.

My Peace Corps service inspired me to become a teacher. Upon returning home, I started searching for graduate teaching programs. I knew I wanted a program that worked to close the achievement gap, and aimed to supply all students with a quality education. Once I found DTR I knew I had to apply.

I chose DTR because of the unique program design. I really liked that DTR offered one full year with a mentor teacher. I felt DTR offered the most enriching, meaningful, and professional path into becoming an effective teacher.

One of the biggest challenges for urban teachers today is becoming worn out, and discouraged in the profession. I am looking forward to acquiring the necessary skills to meet the challenges of an urban district. I am excited to spend a whole year along side my mentor teacher, collaborate with other residents, and work to close the achievement gap.

Aaron Salley

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I grew up in Centerville, Iowa, which is a small town where the people are as humble as the apple pie they bake on Sundays.  I have always been an artist and hold an undergrad degree in fine arts from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. During my time at Cornell I traveled to villages in Mexico and Japan to study their ceramic culture. After college I had a friend who needed a roommate in Denver so I packed up and moved out. It has been about six years since I left Iowa and I’m enjoying every part of Colorado so far and have zero intention of ever leaving.

Before the DTR program I was working as a paraprofessional in the Denver Public Schools district at Gust Elementary, where I heard about the Denver Teacher Residency program. I was also a freelance photographer mainly shooting local sports here in Denver.

I chose the DTR program for a couple different reasons, but namely to gain the best possible instruction towards becoming a teacher.  Another incentive was the master’s degree that I’m working towards obtaining from the University of Denver. The fact that I get to learn while in an actual classroom rather than by lecture was also really attractive to me.

Beyond learning how to best educate Denver’s youth I am excited about all the new experiences that I will be privileged to have, and all the new people I will get to meet.

Jenna Sewell

Training at Sabin Elementary

I was born and raised in Colorado. I received my Bachelors in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of Colorado Boulder. I first learned about DTR while I was in my sophomore year of college. I attended an information session when DTR was in its first year and I immediately felt a deep connection to DTR’s values and mission.

After graduation, I moved to Hawaii and worked with dolphins. My next job was working on a longitudinal manatee research project at an aquarium and research facility. At both of these jobs I found myself opting to spend a weekly chunk of time in the education departments. I would talk to local school groups about my work. I loved helping the students learn by offering them the opportunity to make connections to real-life problems and situations that interested them. From this, I realized that my true passion is student success and achievement and I decided that I wanted to go back to school.

I had continued to follow DTR’s growth as and I knew that now would be the right time in my life for this commitment. I chose DTR because I feel a deep connection to their mission and I believe in their hands-on teacher preparation model.

There are so many things that I am looking forward to. This year is the year to learn, to experience, to try, and to reflect so that I will be prepared for future practice. I think that I am most looking forward to growing by being a part of all the academic and professional opportunities. I think the biggest challenge urban educators face is closing the achievement gap by knowing and then doing what is necessary for each individual student to achieve.

Cristhina Shaikh

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I am a recent graduate from The University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I graduated in December of 2011 with a Journalism Degree. I am a Las Vegas native and recently moved to Denver. I went to school and worked full time for Verizon Wireless as a Sales Representative in order to pay for my degree.

In September 2011 I was hired at the Denver Post as an Advertisement Sales Associate. Ironically, I heard about the Denver Teacher Residency through my role at the Denver Post when I took the program’s advertising account over from the previous sales person.

I chose DTR because of its incredible commitment to training and developing effective teachers to teach in Denver Public Schools. I feel like their commitment to teachers is the only way they can achieve their ultimate goal of closing the achievement gap. I also fell in love with the support model they have for residents; you are never alone in this program and it is nice to know that when you enter the teaching world after your residency and there are others who have the same vision as you do.

I am looking forward to the entire residency year, but I am most looking forward to creating relationships with the students in my class.

Mariana Silliman

Training at Gust Elementary

I am from Wilmington, DE, and I graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 2011 with a BA in English. I moved to Denver to work with the Denver Public Schools Americorps Urban Education Program where I heard about the Denver Teacher Residency. After my service term, I joined DTR!

I chose DTR because of the mentor teacher-resident experience. I’m looking forward to getting to know the students!

Lindsey Smith

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I grew up in Colorado but left the state to attend college in Nevada. After majoring in Marketing at UNLV, I worked for several years in the marketing field. I enjoyed my job but I felt like something was missing. In 2009, I decided to move back to Denver where I tried out a variety of different industries before realizing that I was not going to find my calling inside a cubicle.

Then one fateful day, a friend of mine met the Denver Teacher Residency recruiter at a networking event. I ended up going to the information session and falling in love with the program. As a child, I dreamt of being a teacher but somewhere along the way I convinced myself that teaching wasn’t for me; 20 years later I realized my 8-year-old self knew a thing or two.

I chose DTR because, out of all of the alternative teaching programs, I felt DTR would prepare me the most to be the kind of teacher I wanted to be. Now that my year as a resident is beginning, I am just looking forward to spending time in the classroom and getting to know my students!

Jeremiah Snidar

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I grew up in Denver and went to Denver Public Schools. As a kid, I moved a lot and went to a lot of different schools. In middle school and high school I made poor choices and did not graduate. When I was nineteen, I earned my GED and went to college at Metropolitan State University. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences and I was a Youth Advocate in Mi Casa Resource Center’s Student Services program in Lake Middle School for two years. My experience as a student growing up and my work at Mi Casa inspired me to be a teacher!

Once I decided that I wanted to become a teacher, I searched on the internet for the best programs and found the Denver Teacher Residency. I chose DTR because it will prepare me to be a master teacher in ways that most alternative licensure programs do not. DTR is the only alternative licensure program in Denver Public Schools and residents earn a master’s degree.

I will be knowledgeable of current best practices and have a strong theoretical understanding of the educational process; having partnered with a mentor teacher during the residency year, I will have seen those same best practices modeled and had the opportunity to test my hypotheses in a supervised environment. Therefore, when I graduate the DTR program I will be as prepared as possible. It will give me a head start in giving back to low-income Denver youth.

The biggest challenge is to remain a patient problem solver while maintaining high expectations and standards. Patience can turn into complacence and high expectations can turn otherwise reasonable people into tyrants as the years creep by. I think that urban educators that walk that balance will continue to build relationships with their students, close the achievement gap and avoid burn out throughout their careers.

I look forward to the students and I making a difference in each other’s lives. We have so much to learn from each other this year. With the help of my classes and my mentor teacher I know we will grow together as the year progresses. I very much look forward to that growth.

Lisa Strock

Training at Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College

I was born and raised in Chicago and attended school in a south-Chicago suburb. Growing up, I liked school, liked feeling smart, played sports, and often pushed the limits but knew when to stop. I attended Purdue University and got a degree in Computer Science. I found out that I couldn’t thrive in a corporate environment so I pursued a master’s degree in School Counseling. I had just moved to Denver from Georgia where I was a middle school counselor, and found DTR through Google-ing different ways to become a math teacher in Colorado. I attended a DTR info session and was completely drawn to the rigor and structure to it.

I am most looking forward to spending an entire school year with a mentor teacher – from pre-planning to post-planning – not just 10 weeks or a semester. I’m hoping this will help me learn how to meet the needs of every student. Our students are so diverse and bring such a wealth of background to our classrooms. The challenge is to harness all their strengths to help them shine, while still preparing them to be academically successful, based on certain guidelines and measurements.

Robin Tobin

Training at Cole Arts & Science Academy

I have a varied background, but the unifying themes are creativity and people. I have taught dance and yoga and been a camp counselor. I volunteer for Junior League and WeeCycle.  My corporate career in commercial real estate was primarily in creative and customer service roles. I love helping others and thinking outside the box, which are some of the things that attracted me to education.

I found out about Denver Teacher Residency when I was researching alternative paths to teaching. As an adult learner/career changer, I wanted a program that would give me excellent preparation with hands-on experience. I feel DTR is the best path I could take into teaching because of the thorough preparation the program provides. Learning from a mentor in an actual classroom, along with earning a Master’s at DU is providing me with educational theories and philosophies, as well as the opportunity to see how and why they are effective.

I am very excited about all the learning I get to do.  Being back in school mode is really energizing.

I think the biggest challenge for urban teachers is the fact that many problems in our schools are not just school problems, they are complex, systemic social problems. I am committed to recognizing the locus of control I have with my students and doing my absolute best to meet their needs during my time with them.

Tory Tripp

Training at Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College

I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and have A LOT of hometown pride. I was a competitive soccer player in college, am currently trying to rekindle my love of surfing (unfortunately, living in Denver makes this hard), hiking, and racquetball. I’m very happy to be back in the west after seven years on the east coast!

After graduating from University of Pennsylvania in 2009 with a degree in Sociology, I moved to Washington, D.C. and spent two years as a program director for a test preparation company called Capital Educators. I then took a job in the Office of School Turnaround at D.C. Public Schools working with the Race to the Top grant.

It took me a very long time to realize that I wanted to be a teacher, despite many jobs in education. Once I accepted this fact, I knew I wanted the training and support that a residency model offered. I was committed to a program in D.C. but changed my mind at the last minute because I was ready for a new city and could see myself being happy in Denver for five years. I heard about Chicago’s Urban Teacher Residency through my work at DCPS, and after digging a little further I found out about the residency models in other cities.

I’m finding the biggest challenge is staying positive and communicating 100% belief in your students, when so many people send the message in one way or another that students are not capable of high achievement. I’m excited to gain confidence in my teaching abilities through the gradual release model and to build relationships with students to build their confidence in math. I’m also looking forward to making new friends and getting to know a new city!

Javiera Villegas

Training at Gust Elementary

I am originally from Viña Del Mar, Chile. I came to the U.S. when I was six years old. I was a military brat and moved around a lot. The longest I have lived anywhere was Washington, D.C. where I resided for eight years. I moved there at to attend the George Washington University and decided to stay after graduating.

As I kid, I really loved my family’s day trips to D.C. so living in Capitol Hill was a dream come true for me. My interests include watching (and sometimes playing) soccer, writing and painting. I have a background in journalism and in law enforcement and all my interests culminate in to one thing: using my experience as an English language learner and immigrant to help connect people to services and to help their voice be heard.

While I was in police academy, I was speaking with a fellow recruit about how I was considering other careers. I shared with her that along with police work I always had thought about teaching because I was drawn to serving my community in tangible ways, such as using my Spanish knowledge to help translate. She suggested I look at alternative teaching licensure programs and she encouraged me to explore that avenue. I found the Denver Teacher Residency during that search after attending a virtual information session, I knew this program was right for me.

I chose Denver Teacher Residency over all alternative teacher licensure programs because DTR really values the skills that people from different professions can bring. I appreciate the focus on hands on practice combined with theory. The mentorship is so valuable!

I am looking forward to learning from my two DTR lead teachers; I am working with former Denver Teacher Residents and they have so much more to teach me than I would have ever imagined. They understand the program from the perspective of both a resident and mentor teacher. I also look forward to working with our students!

I think that one of the biggest challenges for urban teachers today is finding a balance between being culturally responsive and preparing our kids for a job market that isn’t quite so sensitive to differences. I look forward to learning that balance with the help of my DTR team and my lead teachers!

Greg Weiss

Training at Martin Luther King, Jr. College

I was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware and have been living in Denver for over a year. I graduated from college with a Biology degree and earned my Masters in Cell Biology before finding myself drawn to teaching. I had been working towards becoming a teacher, culminating with my work last year as a Math Fellow in one of Denver’s turnaround high schools. I had the opportunity to work closely with a small set of students all year long in intensive math tutorials, and I couldn’t see myself doing anything other than working with students.

I had been researching the multiple alternative licensure routes in Colorado, and I was very excited when I read about Denver Teacher Residency on the Teach in Denver website. Out of all the opportunities available for alternative licensure, DTR is the most committed to ensuring its trainees are prepared to bring about student success through the residency model. I was very excited to learn about how closely we would get to work with a master teacher to learn the craft under the guidance of a mentor in an already successful classroom.

I look forward every day to working with my students and helping build their self-confidences and self-expectations. They are the reason I joined DTR and why I enjoy teaching. DTR lets you work with students from Day 1 to help make an impact in their lives.

I think the biggest challenge for urban teachers is the constant flow of students, teachers, and administrators in urban schools. It’s critically important to be a stable force in a world of change and unpredictability.