Denver Teacher Residency (DTR)
The Denver Teacher Residency (DTR) is an innovative, hands-on teacher preparation program designed to cultivate and support exceptional teachers in high-needs schools within Denver Public Schools (DPS). The program is cornerstone in DPS' efforts to recruit, prepare, and retain high quality urban educators.
DPS serves an increasingly diverse student body and struggles to maintain an experienced teaching corps in its schools. The district's nearly 200 schools are home to a diverse population of more than 81,000 students: 80% of whom are ethnically diverse. Nearly 30% are English language learners and about 40% speak Spanish as their primary language. This diversity brings a rich blend of cultures and learning needs to the district but also tremendous challenges, especially for new teachers who may not be prepared to meet the diverse needs of DPS students.
The DTR uniquely prepares its program participants to be effective in DPS' high-needs schools through a five-year process that includes a customized Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction through the Morgridge College of Education at the University of Denver. During the Residency year, Residents spend the academic year as apprentices in DPS classrooms, teaching and learning alongside seasoned mentor teachers in high-needs classrooms while working towards their master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction. The following year, program participants earn positions as teachers in high-needs DPS classrooms; in the final three years, they continue to hone their craft while helping DPS work towards its goal of significantly advancing student achievement.
To date, DTR has graduated two cohorts of over 50 residents who are now teaching in high-need classrooms across the district. Each of the participants were selected based on research-based competencies of an effective teacher. The Residents were selected from a group of over 500 aspiring teachers. By 2013 the DTR aims to recruit and train 20% of DPS' newly hired teachers annually. DTR is currently accepting applications for the 2012-13 school year; the application deadline is February 10, 2012. For more information on the Denver Teacher Residency program and how to apply, please visit the DTR website.
