Teach in Denver Public Schools
Lauren Agee – Talent Acquisition Supervisor
Michelyn Johnson - Recruiter
http://teachindenver.com/
Our Mission
To provide all students
with the opportunity to
achieve the knowledge
and skills necessary to
become contributing
citizens in our society.
The District At a Glance
• DPS is comprised of:
• 180+ schools, including traditional, magnet,
innovation, charter and alt. pathways schools
• Current total enrollment of 90,000 students (and growing).
• 58.0% Hispanic,
• 21.9% Caucasian
• 14.1% African American
• 35% ELL
• 70% Free/Reduced Lunch
District Growth and Highlights
• December 2012: DPS to Expand Early Childhood Education Offerings
• December 2012: DPS Awarded $4 Million Gates Foundation Grant to Spread
Best Practices Among Denver’s Schools
• October 2012: DPS Awarded $28.5 Million Federal Grant to Invest in Teachers
• September 2012: Janus Makes Second Multi-Million Dollar Investment in
Denver Public Schools
What are we doing with that today?
- Building New/Updating Schools and Classroom: As our enrollment grows,
we continue to open new schools – 3 new schools to open in 2016
- Improving leadership: Further expand opportunities for teachers to take on
Teacher Leadership Roles– to allow school leaders to spend more time
focusing on instruction.
- Improving teacher supports: Implement instructional models that reduce
student-teacher ratios, such as blended learning or co-teaching models.
- Improving student supports: Provide high-poverty schools with the means
to hire for positions their communities clearly need. These positions might
include a school nurse, social worker, counselor or parent liaison.
- Rewarding and recognizing teachers: Adopt a tiered incentive system for all
teachers working at highest priority schools. For example, after year one, an
incentive of $2,500 would be awarded; after year two, $5,000; after year
three, $7,500 – up to a specified cap.
Why Denver Public Schools?
• Highest starting teaching salary in the Denver metro area.
• One of the top cities in the country for cultivating school reform.
• Empowering teachers to tailor curricula to benefit every child in
their classroom.
• Land mark merit-based compensation plan, Pro-Comp, which
rewards teachers for excellent performance, student growth, and
professional achievement.
DPS knows that passionate teachers are the most significant factor in
student achievement.
Empowering Excellent Educators
» Recruitment- early hiring decisions, multiple pathways into teaching
» Reward and Retain – ProComp, fostering a supporting environment
for all DPS teachers to grow professionally
» Evaluation- transparent and meaningful feedback using multiple
measures, linked to Professional Development
» Professional Development and Support- LEAP, Online tools and
resources for tailored support
“I love working for DPS - I am empowered everyday to challenge myself and my
students through diverse professional development opportunities and
increased involvement through leadership.” – Lindsay, 4th Grade Teacher.
The Denver Plan 2020
Denver Plan 2020 Cont.
New Educator Support & Incentives
• New Educator Institute (NEI) – 1 to 2 week professional
development prior to school year start
• New Educator Mentoring Program – Employs central
guidelines but assigned at school level for tailored
support
New Educator Support & Incentives
• ELA Academy – Opportunity for in-classroom practicum,
gives new hires in all subject areas the chance to observe,
learn and practice techniques for teaching English language
learners (June)
• Access to master teachers at
school and/or network level,
including Teacher Effectiveness
Coaches (TEC’s) and Mentors
A Quality Education in Any Language
» DPS is one of the most diverse urban school
districts in the nation
» 40% of DPS students speak Spanish as their
primary language; 31% of DPS students are English
Language Learners
» DPS provides 16,000+
students with English
Language Acquisition (ELA)
services
Perks working at DPS
» Total Rewards - A system of
compensation and benefits
unique to every educator
» ProComp - A merit-based
teacher pay plan that links
compensation directly to
improved student learning
»
»
»
»
Health Insurance
Retirement Plans
Sick Leave
Employee Discounts
CDE Licensure Information
» Online Application
˃ Initial Teaching License - $80
˃ Basic Requirements
+ Academic Degree from a regionally accredited college or
university
+ Completion of a teacher prep program
˃ Fingerprints
˃ PLACE/Praxis II exam
˃ http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeprof/Licensure_FirstTimeAp
p.asp
More Opportunity in DPS
» Guest Teachers
˃ Complete the online application for DAILY SUBSTITUTE Guest
Teacher on the workindps.com site
+ Attend a hiring blitz in DPS
+ Positions will be posted in the Fall
» Long Term Substitutes
» Math Fellows
» Paraprofessionals
DPS Hiring Process
• Complete the online application profile – you can access your
application and all position postings at:
www.TeachinDenver.com
• Phone screen
• Apply for school specific postings
• Have all needed documents ready:
–
–
–
–
–
CDE Licensure
Employment reference (2 required, have 4 available)
Background check
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
Previous teaching verification (if applicable)
Helpful Information
» All application questions can be quickly answered by
contacting our HR Connect Hotline
˃ Phone: (720) 423-3900
˃ Email: [email protected]
» For a list of resume and interview tips, please visit
our Facebook page
» Please visit our website for frequently asked
questions
Think of a Question Later?
Lauren Agee, Sr. Recruiter
[email protected]