FAQ
Teaching in Denver
What subject and grade levels do I teach through this program?
All Fellows will teach in secondary math (grades 6-12) or elementary bilingual Spanish classrooms (grades K-5). These are the highest need subject areas and grade levels in the district, and our mission as a program is to ensure our schools have effective Teaching Fellows for these hard to staff positions.
When do I start teaching?
All Fellows who successfully complete Pre-Service Training and secure full-time positions will officially start teaching on the date that all new teachers are required to report to that school.
Where will I teach?
Fellows are eligible to teach at DTF partner schools within the Denver Public School district and its affiliate charter schools. For more information on Denver Public Schools, please visit http://www.dpsk12.org/. Please note that Fellows will teach in the schools where they are most needed and not necessarily the school of their choice.
What are charter schools?
Charter schools are independently-run public schools that operate according to the terms of a contract, or charter, between a private group and a school district or state. In exchange for greater control of the academic program, management structure, and length of the school day and year, charters are accountable to the state for reaching concrete performance targets. Fellows currently teach in several of the 30+ DPS-affiliated charter schools in the Denver area.
How long is the commitment?
Denver Teaching Fellows agree to a minimum three-year commitment in the classroom, though our goal is to select and train individuals who seek to make a long-term career commitment as educators in Denver for many years to come. The ambitious goal of the Denver Teaching Fellows is to build a network of Denver teachers passionate about educational equity and ready to work actively to achieve results in their classrooms on a daily basis alongside other Denver teachers with the same focus.
How safe are the schools?
We believe our schools are safe. We encourage concerned candidates to visit the areas in which they may teach during a regular school day to determine their own level of comfort with the environment.
What should I expect as a teacher in Denver?
You should expect to work with diverse groups of students and teachers in an urban school district. You should also expect to work hard and learn a lot in your first few years of teaching, and feel accomplished and rewarded when your students succeed.
Licensure Program
Will I receive a state teaching license?
During the first two years of teaching while Fellows are taking licensure coursework, Fellows will work under an alternative teaching license that is valid for 3 years. After successfully completing all program requirements including passing DTF’s the Assessment of Classroom Effectiveness (ACE) as well as the licensure program, each Fellow will be eligible to receive a Colorado state teaching license.
How much does the licensure program cost?
The licensure program costs an estimated $7,000-$8,000 for individuals teaching math and bilingual Spanish. Please note these costs are subject to change.
Is financial aid available for the licensure program?
First-year Fellows may be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award after successfully completing their first year of teaching. The award, which is valid for seven years after issuance, may be used to pay for certification or future education costs, including the repayment of eligible student loans. While Denver Teaching Fellows is currently a member of AmeriCorps, we cannot guarantee these benefits for the 2012 Fellows cohort given the nature of the AmeriCorps competitive grant process. We anticipate receiving final confirmation on education awards in summer 2012.
Which universities work with the program?
The exclusive university partner of the Denver Teaching Fellows program is Metropolitan State College of Denver.
How is the coursework scheduled with Metro State?
As this is a cohort program, typically, all Fellows take courses together in their subject area groups throughout the two year licensure program. Classes are usually scheduled one night a week and occasional Saturdays. Fellows are also required to attend one week of orientation at Metro State after summer training institute in July.
Program Eligibility
What exams will I need to take?
To participate in the program, candidates will need to take and pass the appropriate Praxis II or PLACE exam by May 1, 2012. In order to ensure you receive your passing scores by the deadline, you are strongly encouraged to register for the November or January exam. This way, if you need to re-take the exam, you have the March date to take it a second time and pass by the deadline. Many Fellows need to take the exam twice to pass.
Am I eligible if I have no previous teaching experience or prior coursework in education?
Denver Teaching Fellows is designed for mid-career professionals and recent college graduates from all fields who demonstrate leadership, achievement, and a commitment to urban education. Previous coursework or experience in education is not necessary.
Are individuals who have worked as substitute teachers eligible for the program?
Yes, substitute teachers may apply, provided they meet our eligibility requirements.
Why aren't certified teachers eligible to apply, and what should they do to start teaching?
The Teaching Fellows program is specifically designed to provide training and support to individuals who have had no education coursework. For more information on opportunities to teach in your area, we encourage you to visit your local district's website.
What if I don't have a 2.75 undergraduate GPA?
Denver Teaching Fellows cannot consider applications with a cumulative undergraduate GPA under 2.75 due to program requirements. A graduate GPA cannot be used in place of the undergraduate GPA requirement. Candidates with an undergraduate GPA under 3.0 (between 2.75 and 2.99) will be asked on the application to explain exactly why his or her achievement should be considered exceptional on the application.
Do I need to be a resident of Colorado to apply?
No, you do not need to be a resident of Colorado to apply.
Application Process
Can I include letters of recommendation with my application?
No. Due to the sheer number of applications we receive, we are unable to consider documents or materials other than those required for a complete application (application form, resume, and responses to application questions). Materials that are not required will be discarded. However, we do ask for references on the application, who we may contact to receive further insight on our applicants.
Do I need to send transcripts with my application?
No, you do not need to send transcripts with your application. However, all individuals invited to an in-person interview will be asked to submit one official set of transcripts from every college/university they have attended and two additional copies will be needed later in the enrollment process. Because it often takes universities several weeks to process requests for official transcripts, we highly recommend that you request your three official transcripts now. We also recommend requesting three copies sealed in separate envelopes in order to expedite program enrollment and district processing needs upon acceptance to the program.
What happens after I submit my application?
All applications are reviewed for completeness and eligibility. Those applicants who demonstrate potential for success as Fellows are invited to the initial phone interview. You will also be notified if you are not invited to interview. You should receive interview notification via email within two weeks of our receipt of your complete application. Due to the high volume of applications, all communication will be emailed through our Teacher Track system. After your initial phone interview, you will be notified via email within two weeks if you are invited to a final in-person interview. Please note that a very small number of candidates will be invited directly to an in-person interview, bypassing the initial phone interview step.
When will I know if I am accepted into the program?
Notice will be sent from our office via email two weeks after your in-person Interview Event. Due to the high volume of applications we are unable to give candidates specific feedback and all decisions are final.
What should I do if I have not received a response from the program
In general, if you are not receiving emails from the program, check your junk folder in the original email you provided and if you are still not receiving emails, you should provide us with a different email address. Additionally, all messages are saved on your Teacher Track account so you can view correspondences through that portal. If you have not received a response via email from the program within 2 weeks after submitting your application, you should contact the program by email at info@denverteachingfellows.org.
Admission and Enrollment
When does the program actually begin?
While all Fellows start the Training Institute in person in May, there are program requirements in the months leading up to Training Institute. Once accepted to the program, Fellows will be required to complete a series of pre-training assignments and school observations designed to lay the foundation upon which training will build. If accepted, anticipate spending a few hours on program-related work each week in order to successfully you prepare for Training Institute. Additionally, immediately upon enrollment, Fellows are required to participate in an online District Hiring orientation and will begin applying and interviewing for positions immediately. You should expect to spend 5 hours per week on the District Hiring process between the time you enroll and the time you receive an official job offer.
How long is the commitment?
Denver Teaching Fellows agree to a minimum three-year commitment in the classroom, though our goal is to select and train individuals who seek to make a long-term career commitment as educators in Denver for many years to come. The ambitious goal of the Denver Teaching Fellows is to build a network of Denver teachers passionate about educational equity and ready to work actively to achieve results in their classrooms on a daily basis alongside other Denver teachers with the same focus.75% of all Fellows trained are still teaching and 71% of 2008 Fellows trained began their fourth year of teaching this academic school year.
What do I need to enroll in the program?
If you are accepted, the Denver Teaching Fellows program will guide you through the enrollment process. The program will require that you submit:
- Three sets of official transcripts from every college/university you have attended
- A copy of your official Praxis II/PLACE score report
- A signed program Commitment Form
- Proof of eligibility to work in the United States
- The program will also guide you through the enrollment process for Metro State College of Denver and the new hire process for your charter school or district during Training Institute. Please note that you will be required to pay a fee for your state alternative license during Training Institute.
Compensation and Benefits
What is the starting salary for the Denver Teaching Fellows?
The starting salary for Fellows is the same as that for all other beginning teachers in Denver Public Schools; for the 2011-2012 school year, first-year teachers with a bachelor’s degree typically earn $37,551 annually; teachers with a master’s degree typically earn $41,207. Fellows employed in charter schools are subject to the salary and benefits offered by that specific school; however, compensation packages are roughly equivalent to those listed above.
What employment benefits do Fellows receive?
Fellows are eligible for the same comprehensive benefits as all new teachers in their charter school or district, which may include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage. Denver Public Schools also employs a bonus system called ProComp that rewards teachers for teaching in a hard to staff position as well as for student outcomes. The average yearly bonus that a Fellow earns is over $4,000. Additionally, employees of Denver Public Schools are eligible for a $4,000 tuition reimbursement program (up to $1,000 may be used each year for up to four years).
Will I be paid over the summer?
Fellow will receive a taxable $2000 stipend upon the successful completion of Pre-Service Training. Stipends are typically distributed in late-July.
When do benefits start?
All Fellows are typically eligible for benefits either immediately or 30 days after their official start date.