In addition to the paid, mentored practicum, this program includes coursework and professional development opportunities (such as field trips, workshops and conferences). 

Educator preparation courses cover observation methods, social learning, community engagement, learning theories and more. You can find the full course list here. https://educators.boulderjourneyschool.com/coursework.html 

Reggio Emilia Study Group

Over spring break, you’ll attend the Reggio Emilia Study Group in Reggio Emilia, Italy. This includes presentations, school tours and networking opportunities. BJSTEP tuition includes Study Group expenses.

Assessment

At the year’s end, you’ll spend an evening sharing your thinking on personal, professional and political issues and innovations in education.

The program weaves together practice and theory. As a Resident Teacher, you’ll teach in a classroom while engaging in coursework. Coursework is designed so that you can take ideas from readings, discussions and assignments, and apply your learning to your daily experience as a classroom teacher. In this way, what you learn at a theoretical level can inform your practice, and what you learn from your practice informs your theory about teaching and learning.

This program cultivates teachers who are primarily researchers. As a researcher, teachers are constantly seeking to learn more and develop deeper understandings of their students. You’ll develop a strong practice of observation, documentation and assessment that allows you to know students on a deep level. From this knowledge, you can create a contextual curriculum and learning environments that reflect students’ unique cognitive, social and emotional needs.

This program values an apprenticeship model of learning. You’ll work alongside a mentor teacher for the duration of your program year. Your mentor teacher will provide ongoing feedback and opportunities for goal-setting. After the program, you’ll get to join an active and tight-knit alumni community. Program administrators stay connected to our program alumni and reach out with a variety of professional development and employment opportunities, as well ongoing, general support.

Our program:

• Understands that groups of teachers are effective change-agents.
• Believes that children and adults learn best when they have opportunities to collaborate. 
• Views Residents as capable leaders and advocates.
• Educates teachers with experience-based, age-appropriate instruction.
• Provides hands-on experience alongside a rich theoretical approach. 
• Integrates families into classroom life.
• Draws high-caliber future teachers both from Colorado and nationally.

We engage in critical examination and regularly take feedback from Resident Teachers, to ensure our program seeks continual improvement.