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|  | From Vanguard Classical School, clockwise from top left:
Linda Richardson, Assistant Principal and ELD Coordinator, Educational Assistants Jennie Gillespie, Tara Canutt, and Apryle Snowden
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We Want YOU to Start Conversations with Future Teachers
Though teaching in public schools certainly looks a little different than it did a year ago (okay, a lot different), it doesn't change the fact that we still have to address the ongoing teacher shortage in the Denver metro area. Can you help us?
We at the UNC Center for Urban Education are reaching out to the community to find people who are interested in becoming teachers. We meet virtually with paraprofessionals, counselors, high-school students, and principals—anyone who wants to talk about becoming a teacher or who wants to start that conversation with someone else.
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Special Education Paraprofessional Virtual Hiring Fair
Denver Public Schools is hosting a hiring fair for special education paraprofessionals on Thursday, January 21 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM.
Thinking about Becoming a Teacher?
The UNC Center for Urban Education (CUE) is enrolling new students for the fall 2021 semester through July.
Call Dr. Rosanne Fulton, Director, at 303-637-4334 or email her for more information.
Watch our short video to learn more about the CUE teacher-preparation program.
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Schedule Us as Part of Your Regular Paraprofessional Meeting
For example, on December 10, 2020, we met with seven paraprofessionals at Vanguard Classical School during their regularly scheduled staff meeting. They were excited about our practice of having the teacher candidates work as paraprofessionals in the mornings and attending degree-program classes in the afternoon. We also explained how we work with financial aid to help teacher candidates fund their tuition. Thanks to Linda Richardson, Assistant Principal, for arranging this meeting (pictured above, with three of the paraprofessionals who attended the session).
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Lydia Taylor, Employee Relations Business Partner, Cherry Creek Schools
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Organize a Special Conference
On November 17, 2020, we met with 31 paraprofessionals who work in Cherry Creek Schools. The meeting was organized by Lydia Taylor, Employee Relations Business Partner—thank you! We fielded more than 15 follow-up questions, including whether undergraduate credits can be transferred. Indeed they can! In fact, 75% of our students are transfer students. We work hard to ensure that all applicable credits transfer (up to a maximum 90 hours).
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Administrative Assistant Lindsay Baca attended that meeting and afterward applied to UNC. She was accepted and will earn her master’s degree and teaching license. Exciting news!
Our next step with Cherry Creek Schools is to provide more information about our program to the Classified Employee Council so they can spread the word to the rest of their paraprofessionals.
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From Eaglecrest High School:
College and Career Coordinator Dr. Heidi McClure (left) with Jill Brinig, School Counselor and Counseling Coordinator
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Slot Us in Your Counselor Department Meeting
On December 7, 2020, we met with eight counselors at Eaglecrest High School (Cherry Creek Schools) during their regular department meeting. The counselors asked if students could transfer credits from their high school classes to our program. (Short answer: Yes, they can.) Our next step is to schedule a Zoom meeting so we can talk with interested students. Thanks to Jill Brinig, Lead Counselor, for arranging this meeting. The Zoom-format meetings take approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Can you spare that time in your regular department or staff meeting to help us fill the pipeline with future teachers? Email us or call Director Dr. Rosanne Fulton at 303-637-4334. We look forward to hearing from you! We’ll help your students or staff understand their path to earning a teaching license.
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Hispanic Men Changing the World: Alejandro Brambila
Alejandro Brambila, a 2017 graduate of the UNC Center of Urban Education, recently gave us a shout out to let us know what he’s up to. After teaching in the Denver Public Schools and in Sacramento, California for a couple of years, he moved to Colombia to teach for the Peace Corps. He’s back now, living and teaching in California. Here’s what he had to say about his experience:
“I’m passionate about serving those who don’t yet recognize their talent—a passion I discovered while earning my degree at UNC Center for Urban Education. I believe my students are brilliant, and I was taught to love them and push them even when times are tough.”
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The results of Brambila’s teaching philosophy? For the past three years, his students have had the highest academic achievement as compared to all other students—no matter the school!
Brambila sets a positive example by being a high achiever himself. He’s applying to the doctoral program in education at the School of Education, University of California – Davis. If admitted, he will focus on language, literacy, and culture. We commend Mr. Brambila on his achievements as a teacher and his efforts to continue his own education. Way to go!
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| Newsletter Archive
Did you miss previous issues of the Chronicle? Visit the Leadership Council page on our website, scroll down, and click on past newsletters.
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