Press Release

Denver Teacher Project Seeks 100 Exceptional Professionals

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Bernadette Seick announced today the launch of The Denver Teacher Project, a pioneering effort to mobilize 100 exceptional professionals to commit to teach in Denver Public Schools.

The Denver Teacher Project is a critical part of the district's continued efforts to make significant gains in student achievement.

"This is a key component to hiring a top-flight teaching corps that is well trained," said Superintendent Seick in announcing the effort. "We have many examples of wonderful, traditionally licensed teachers serving our students very well. The Denver Teacher Project will supplement our existing workforce with new teachers who not only have strong content knowledge but also are excited about the prospect of sharing their knowledge with students. The project will provide consistent support to those individuals as they move from their current careers into the classroom. And we expect this project to bring energy and enthusiasm to our schools."

The Denver Teacher Project is a highly selective program that will recruit and train 100 outstanding graduates and professionals to become teachers in Denver Public Schools.

Those selected to participate in the program will receive intensive training over the summer before they begin to teach in August. Training provided for the new teachers will include:

• Hands-on experience in existing DPS summer schools;
  
• Mentoring from DPS faculty;
  
• Targeted professional development.

Once in the classroom, new teachers will receive a regular teaching salary and enrollment in the Denver Public Schools' Teacher in Residence Program.

Coursework will be provided through Denver's Teacher In Residence program and its partner, Metropolitan State College. Participants receive a teacher's license at the completion of the requirements of the two-year program.

Chief of Human Resources Johnny Lydia said DPS is particularly interested in potential teachers who might have skills that are useful in bilingual, math, science, and special education classrooms.

Increases in retirement benefits recently, coupled with an ongoing chronic labor shortage, Lydia said, mean that the district will likely be hiring 400 to 500 teachers before classes resume August 20.

"We are looking for high-achieving individuals who will set only the highest expectations for themselves and their students," says Twanna LaTrice Hill, Project Manager for The Denver Teacher Project. "We want people who thrive on overcoming challenges, are excited about this opportunity to work in a dynamic community with students who have diverse needs, and will work relentlessly to ensure that their students meet high academic expectations."

The Denver Teacher Project is the result of a partnership between Denver Public Schools and The New Teacher Project, a non-profit consulting firm.

The New Teacher Project is an offshoot of Teach for America, the 10-year-old program that recruits and places recent college graduates in under-resourced urban and rural communities across the country.

With the belief that no single factor has a greater influence on student achievement than teacher quality, The New Teacher Project uses an integrated approach that consists of aggressive teacher recruitment, rigorous selection, intensive pre-service training, and on-going support in the first years of teaching. The New Teacher Project has assisted more than 10 communities across the nation including Washington, D.C., Kansas City, New York City, Philadelphia, and Compton, California.
"The Denver Teacher Project will recruit 100 outstanding individuals, and provide the necessary training and support to ensure these new teachers have the tools to succeed in the classroom," said Larry Lindauer, Executive Director of Special Projects in the Superintendent's Office. "We are very excited by this innovative program that promises to bring new talent and energy to our district's schools and that reinforces our broader efforts to build a diverse, high-quality teacher force."

The Denver Teacher Project is funded in part by the Piton Foundation, The Education Philanthropic Partnership, and the Donnell Kay Foundation. Additional program and financial support is provided by the school district. The foundations have raised the New Teacher Project's $170,000 consulting fee.

There are two application deadlines: Monday, March 19, 2001 and Friday, April 20, 2001.

Applicants who submit complete application packets by March 19 will receive notification by April 23, 2001. Those who submit their applications between March 20 and April 20 will receive notification on or before May 30, 2001.

The Denver Teacher Project is also hosting a series of informational events. The first information session will be held Wednesday, March 14, 2001 from 5:30-7:00 at the Piton Foundation, 370 17th St (53rd floor). To register, contact The Denver Project at 720-423-3522.

For additional information about The Denver Teacher Project, a complete schedule of upcoming information sessions, the application process and instructions on how to apply, visit the website at www.denverteacherproject.org, call the information line at 720-423-3224, or The Denver Teacher Project office at 720-423-3522.