Salary & Benefits

Once Fellows have successfully completed Pre-Service Training, they are eligible to be hired as a full-time teacher in Denver Public Schools, as well as certain district affiliated charter schools. Most Fellows will get hired in Denver Public Schools where they are considered full-time employees of the district with the same starting salary as other first-year teachers. 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. Denver Public Schools 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).

Teachers typically receive their first paycheck at the end of the first month of teaching. Fellows also are eligible for the same comprehensive benefits as all new teachers working in the district or charter school where they are employed. These benefits typically include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage.

Fellows hired at charter schools will receive the salary and benefits offered by that specific charter school. However, salary and benefits tend to be roughly equivalent to those described above offered by the Denver Public School district.

Financial Assistance

Denver Teaching Fellows is currently a member of AmeriCorps, the national service network. Through this relationship, 2012 Fellows may be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award for their service as a teacher in a high-need school, provided funding is available. In years past, the Education Award has been $5,500 for a year of full-time service and can be used to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training, or to repay qualified student loans. Once Fellows receive the award after their term of service, they have up to seven years to claim and use the award. Funding for this award will be messaged to Fellows 

Fellows with Stafford and Perkins loans may be eligible for loan deferment or forgiveness. For details about eligibility, please contact your loan provider directly to confirm whether programs are available for individuals who make a commitment to teach full-time in under-resourced schools. You may also visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information about the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.