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9News Features UNC Center for Urban Education
9News recently ran a story on diversifying the education workforce in Colorado. The agency noted that there is a pressing need to address the lack of teachers of color across the country, but particularly in Denver-area schools.
The difference in student and teacher demographics can be startling. In Denver Public Schools, approximately 75% are students of color as compared with 28% of the teacher population. In Colorado, roughly 7,000 out of 54,000 teachers are persons of color.
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Walt Kisner, who teaches Art Appreciation, is one of many teachers of color who provides guidance to teacher candidates at the UNC Center for Urban Education.
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OPEN HOUSE
Interested in becoming a teacher? Or learning more about how to partner with the UNC Center for Urban Education? Join us at our open house.
Tuesday,
April 14, 2020
4:30 to 6:00 PM
Center for Urban Education
UNC Denver Center at Lowry
1059 Alton Way
Denver CO 80230
RSVP here.
PRESENTATION:
THE ESSENCE OF BRILLIANT TEACHING
This presentation has been POSTPONED.
UNC Centers have been closed until April 6, 2020 in response to coronavirus.
A new date is to be determined.
Contact us with questions here.
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| Why is it important to recruit teachers of color? Research supports the conclusion that students who have even one teacher who looks like them are more likely to graduate from high school. Katie Clymer, the DPS Executive Director for Talent Acquisition, said that number is 39% more likely—a meaningful difference.
Dr. Rosanne Fulton, Director of the Center, said “We draw teacher candidates from the communities of color in the Denver metropolitan area. One of the most important reasons why is to ensure that teachers reflect the demographics and cultures of the community.”
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CUE teacher candidate Sedric Miller was featured in the 9News story.
The 9News story also mentioned two new initiatives—a statewide program called Teach Colorado and the Denver Black Educators’ Caucus—that were created to address the teacher shortage, the lack of teachers of color, and other related issues.
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Denver Public Schools Partner with CUE to Fill the Paraprofessional-to-Teacher Pipeline
One way to solve the teacher shortage in Colorado is to turn to a source of people who already know that they love to work with kids: paraprofessionals. They are the people who work quietly behind the scenes to take care of details, help students throughout the day, and ensure that classrooms run smoothly. Many of these kind and competent employees welcome the opportunity to become teachers.
Denver Public Schools (DPS) is offering support for them to attain that dream.
The help comes in the form of $2,500 per semester toward tuition and fees for all DPS paraprofessionals who enroll in a teacher-preparation program.
DPS hopes that candidates will take advantage of this opportunity and become the next generation of teachers and future leaders in the District. The district wants to develop a teacher workforce that is more reflective of its students while ensuring that future teachers are prepared to design and deliver rigorous, culturally responsive content.
The UNC Center for Urban Education thanks DPS and Superintendent Susan Cordova for their tireless efforts to fill the teacher pipeline in Colorado.
Contact Michaela Lane Spiel, TPD Specialist. Teacher Pathways | Teacher Leader & Learning at DPS for more information.
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Colorado Legislative Bill Considers Diversity in the Educator WorkforceColorado HB20-1007, otherwise known as the Diverse Kindergarten Through 12th Grade Educator Workforce Report, calls for the formation of a committee to investigate ways to increase the diversity of Colorado's educators in elementary and secondary public schools.
The workgroup shall investigate barriers to the preparation, retention, and recruitment of a diverse educator workforce and shall consider strategies to increase diversity in the educator workforce. The UNC Center for Urban Education supports this work and thanks the sponsors of this bill:
- Representative James Coleman
- Representative Bri Buentello
- Senator Rhonda Fields
- Senator Paul Lundeen
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Welcoming Paraprofessionals with Open ArmsThe UNC Center for Urban Education partners with metro-area school districts to hold open houses for paraprofessionals who want to become teachers. This month, a pressing question an attendee raised was whether or not credits will transfer from other colleges.
It’s a common concern, but the Center’s Director, Dr. Rosanne Fulton, said, “We carefully analyze transcripts and accept up to 90 credits from other higher-education institutions.” That factor alone is enough to convince many potential teacher candidates to sign up. One attendee said, “I was interested in switching careers, but I didn’t want to have to earn another bachelor’s degree.” She wouldn’t be alone—70% of the Center’s students transfer into the program with some college credits.
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Paraprofessionals attended an open house co-sponsored by the UNC Center for Urban Education and Adams 12 School District.
We thank the following individuals and school districts for hosting open houses at their schools:
Adams 12 School District
Betsy Miller, Principal, Thornton Elementary
Shannon West, Assistant Principal, Thornton Elementary
Cherry Creek School District
Ty Valentine, Director of Human Resources, Cherry Creek School District
Aurora Public Schools
Brian Duwe, Principal, North Middle School
Our next open house will be held at the Center for Urban Education, UNC Denver Center at Lowry, on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 from 4:30 to 6:00. RSVP here.
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| Newsletter Archive
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