Welcome to February– a month for momentum and connection! Hello teachers–Happy February! This month is a sweet spot; routines settling and relationships are ready to deepen. 

Routines & transitions: Tighten arrival, dismissal, and transition procedures so class time is efficient.

Formative checks: Use exit tickets, quick quizzes, or observations to spot gaps and plan targeted mini‑lessons.

Small‑group instruction: Group students by need for reteach, practice, or extension during short blocks.

Student relationships: Do quick 1:1 check‑ins and incorporate community rituals that build belonging.

Family communication: Send a brief, positive classroom update and one way families can support learning at home.

Assessment & feedback: Organize grading routines so feedback is timely and actionable.

Teacher well‑being: Pick one small professional goal and schedule short planning/self‑care blocks each week.

Keep it simple: choose 2–3 priorities, try one new ritual, and celebrate small wins. Continue to reach out to your New Teacher Ambassador, Administration or newteachers@dpsk12.net for support regarding your Induction progress or completion of New Teacher Requirements.

Please refer to the New Educator Landing Page for quick answers to any of these questions and if you want to know what your progress is for the DPS induction Requirements please complete the report request form answer will respond to you within 72 hours. 

 
NEW Teacher Progress and Feedback Request Form

Best, 

New Teacher Support Team 

Pre-Service Teachers

Happy February from the Learning & Development Team!

As we continue supporting our student teachers this month, please make sure you and your mentor complete the Mentor Engagement Tracker. If you’re using a different document, you may add it in — just be sure Kymberley Anderson has access as well as Jenna Martin. 

Thank you for your attention and for all you do!

New Educators

New Educators! 

May is approaching, which means first year requirements are coming to an end and you will likely want to check on your progress and what requirements you have left. Please refer to your Learning Space or New Teacher Ambassador. If not, please reach out to newteachers@dpsk12.net for support and/or fill out a report of your progress of Induction and New to DPS Teacher Requirements (if you hold a professional license but new to the District within the last few years). 

NEW Teacher Progress and Feedback Request Form

IEI Educators

**RethinkEd is part of the IEI Certificate courses.  If you need support with the RethinkEd modules, Joel will be offering office hours on Tuesday Feb 3 from 4-5 pm and Feb. 10 from 5-6 pm joel.hackler@rethinked.com

New Teacher Ambassadors

New Teacher Ambassadors! 

You all have been doing an amazing job and balancing so much! Please make sure you are having your monthly check ins and I please complete this form so that you can keep track of educators status.  I also would like to share a webinar recording from 7 Mindsets: Beyond Care- Building Collaborative Systems to Sustain Educator Well-Being . As always, please fill out this form for a report for your school regarding “New Teacher Induction” and “New DPS teacher Requirements". 

Quick Updates

• Culturally Sustaining Teaching and Learning Foundations 2025-2026 course that starts January 17th is full. Please make sure your teachers sign up for the last cohort that will start in April. 

Helpful Resources:

• New Teacher Center: Research-backed mentoring tools and coaching strategies.

• Edutopia Mentoring Articles: Practical tips for supporting novice teachers.

• ASCD Mentoring Toolkit: Checklists and guides for productive mentor conversations.

• Mentoring Matters by Laura Lipton & Bruce Wellman: A comprehensive mentoring guide.

• The First-Year Teacher’s Survival Guide by Julia G. Thompson: Practical strategies to share with mentees.

Remember, your encouragement and guidance make a significant impact on your mentee’s success. Keep the conversation focused, supportive, and growth-oriented as you help them navigate this important phase.

Need a Report? Please use this google form for a report.

PDU Updates

Hello, DPS Educators and SSPs!!  We are kicking off 2026-27 PDUs with exciting (and NEW) opportunities!!

What’s coming up?  

PDU Design Spring Design Course begins on March 2nd (see “Design Course” tab for details)

2026-27 PDU Early Application cycle deadline is April 10th.  Here are the 26-27 PDU application materials.

This summer will be launching four Summer Starting Fall PDUs.  Details to come!!!!

Have you designed and led an awesome PDU?  Consider submitting it for a turnkey!!  Details HERE

As always check out the PDU page on The Commons or reach out to Program Manager, Michele Deats with any questions!!

School Psychologists and School Social Workers please continue to reach out to your Mental Health Partner, Senior Team Lead, and/or Manager for support. Our Mental Health & Student Well-Being Manual 25-26 will continue to have updates about professional learning and support. Otherwise we look forward to seeing you on 2/27 for our Department meeting. -Mental Health Leadership Team

ESS Team 

Gentle Reminders

We're coming up on that time of the year where people hired on a license application receipt should pay attention to the 90 day window they're allowed to work on a receipt or they will be pulled out of the classroom if they haven't obtained their license within that 90 day period. Please reach out to hrcompliance@dpsk12.net

Culturally Sustaining Teaching and Learning Foundations 2025-2026 course is now the equivalent for previous Foundations of Teaching and Culturally Responsive Education Foundations course and they can reach out to newteachers@dpsk12.net for support with registration. 

Save the Date! February 27 is Central / SSP Professional Learning Day. Registration opens on February 11, and the course catalog will be published in Teacher Weekly. Please connect with your building leader to identify which sessions are recommended for your role. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn alongside your colleagues! For more information, email professional_learning@dpsk12.org.

Sign up for LEAP Peer Observer Support!

Additional Resources and Opportunities

Say Yes to DPS Job Fair | March 11 | 4:30pm-7:00pm | Location TBD  

Professional Development for Early Childhood Educators at the Art Museum <- Register 

Review DPS Immigration- related Resources and Protocols

CDE Educator Resources hub: https://www.cde.state.co.us/educatortalent/educatorresources

Colorado Academic Standards: https://www.cde.state.co.us/standardsandinstruction/coloradoacademicstandards

CDE Professional Learning: https://www.cde.state.co.us/educatortalent/professionallearning

READ Act & Literacy Supports: https://www.cde.state.co.us/early/ReadActResources

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS): https://www.cde.state.co.us/mtss

Instructional Materials Library (IML): https://www.cde.state.co.us/iml

Assessment & Data (ACCESS): https://www.cde.state.co.us/assessment

Special Education (Exceptional Student Services): https://www.cde.state.co.us/esea

Comprehensive Health & SEL: https://www.cde.state.co.us/healthandwellness

Family & Community Engagement: https://www.cde.state.co.us/familyandcommunity

Tips and Tricks 

Employees have access to DPS-approved AI tools, and are encouraged to utilize MagicSchool and Google Gemini products in support of enhancing high-quality teaching and learning. For further information, please consult the following DPS guidance on AI for Staff and Students:

DPS AI Handbook for Staff

DPS AI Handbook for Students

DPS Board Policy for Employee AI Use

Thought for the month

If you think education is expensive, try ignorance. 

- Andy McIntyre  -