Hunt Institute, Hunt-Kean Fellows Visit C3: Creativity Challenge Community 

Denver, CO – Hunt Institute Executive Director & CEO, Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, along with five Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows, today toured C3: Creativity Challenge Community to learn more about their partnership with the Boettcher Teacher Residency program. They were joined by leadership from the National Center for Teacher Residencies, Denver Teacher Residency and the Public Education & Business Coalition (PEBC) who engaged Fellows in a discussion about the development of teacher residency policy. 

“We felt it was important for our Fellows to see the Boettcher Teacher Residency Program in action,” said Dr. Javaid Siddiqi, Hunt Institute Executive Director & CEO.  “It is critical to not only have well-prepared teachers in public schools that serve our low-income and often under-supported students, but to also retain them where they are needed most.  The Boettcher Teacher Residency does just that in Colorado.” 

Hunt-Kean Fellows in attendance were: Former Colorado State Senator Mike Johnston (Cohort 1); California State Treasurer John Chiang (Cohort 2); and Hawai’i Attorney General Doug Chin, former Colorado State Treasurer Cary Kennedy, and Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Murray (Cohort 3).

The Hunt-Kean Leadership Fellows program seeks to partner with senior-level political leaders who have the knowledge, skill, and will to be effective, reform-minded education policymakers at the state level. Named for renowned education governors Jim Hunt (D-NC | 1977-1985; 1993-2001) and Tom Kean (R-NJ | 1982-1990), the national, nonpartisan Fellowship launched in the fall of 2014.  To date, the program boasts nearly 60 Fellows representing 38 states.  Post-Fellowship pathways have led individuals to the Office of the Governor, the U.S. Senate, national platform committees, and the posts of Senate Majority Leader and President Pro Tempore.  In addition, seven Fellows have announced a run for governor in 2018.

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About C3: Creativity Challenge Community

The Creativity Challenge Community (C3) will provide a 21st century education for a diverse population of elementary age students in Southeast Denver.  We believe in the importance of thinking creatively to solve problems, learning collaboratively through parent partnerships with community organizations and challenging each other to our highest potential.  Our students will graduate with confidence in their ability to think critically and creatively, solve problems and contribute to the larger community. 

For more information, please visit http://c3.dpsk12.org/.

About Boettcher Teacher Residency

The Boettcher Teacher Residency recruits, prepares, supports and retains high-quality teachers for our partner school districts, with the majority of them teaching in high-needs schools and in hard-to-fill subject areas.

 By placing an emphasis on preparation in working with culturally and linguistically diverse students, and providing extensive ongoing support, BTR directly addresses the high teacher turnover rates that cost districts millions and leave students with inexperienced teachers. Hands-on learning in the classroom is paired with targeted licensure coursework, giving Residents both the practical and theoretical foundation for success throughout their five-year commitment and beyond.

For more information, please visit http://www.boettcherteachers.org/.