Urban Teacher Academy
UTA recruits, trains and supports future teachers who have committed to a specialized teacher preparation program focused on producing high student achievement in urban settings.

Preparing teachers for today's urban schools

The University of Dayton Urban Teacher Academy (UTA) is a specialized program for pre-service teachers who have an interest in urban teaching. Students are traditional undergraduate students who have indicated that they want to work with high-poverty and high-needs student populations.

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The academy concept addresses the most critical dimensions of the problem:

  • Identifying pre-service teachers most likely to succeed in an urban school district.
  • Providing them specialized training.
  • Pairing them with successful mentor teachers who can help them cope with the challenges of teaching in today's urban classroom.

In our enmeshed program, students are selected using elements of the Haberman Star Teacher interview protocol. Students interested in participating submit a formal application along with an essay and personal recommendations and undergo a formal interview. UTA students are placed with mentors who are committed to urban environments and believe in the success of urban learners. Students who are admitted must have a 2.75 GPA.

Check out the latest program information for 2012-2013 (pdf) >>

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Learn more about the program!

Once students are admitted to the Urban Teacher Academy (UTA), they are placed in a cohort, given placements in urban schools and assigned to highly qualified veteran teachers who work at the assigned schools. All the students attend university-recognized transcripted courses and urban professional seminars each semester to build their knowledge about urban environments.

Currenty, 35 students participate in the Urban Teacher Academy. A total of 98 students have completed the program. Seventy percent of the graduates continue to teach in urban districts after three years of professional experience. All program costs are covered by the university.

More about the UTA Program Model (pdf) >>

Field Placements

Successful students are also given priority on job placements within the Dayton Public Schools. This priority also extends to participants of the University of Dayton's urban Catholic Lalanne Program. A contract between the University of Dayton and the Dayton Public Schools assures graduates an opportunity to secure a teaching position within the district after graduation.

Job Support

UTA graduates who accept a teaching position with Dayton Public Schools receive ongoing program support from UTA faculty and staff during their first three years of teaching. Other UTA graduates go on to teach in urban districts across the country, including in Ohio, New York, Florida, and the cities of Chicago and Washington, D.C.

Lalanne Program

Graduates also have an opportunity to continue their urban training through the Lalanne Program, in which they can earn a master’s degree while teaching in urban Catholic schools. More about the Lalanne Program >>

Mentor Teachers

Starting with their principal’s recommendation, mentor teachers present documented evidence of student academic success in their classrooms and are selected through an interview and observation process. The mentor teachers assist in training and with professional development of UTA participants. For their services, mentor teachers may obtain graduate credit, and in collaboration with Dayton Public Schools, mentors may use their participation in the program as a component of the professional development plan. 

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Get off campus!

The Urban Teacher Academy (UTA) offers students more than just classroom learning. Juniors and seniors accepted into the academy have access to a wide variety of opportunities and activities to develop the skills they're learning in their courses, fieldwork and research.

Field Placement


UTA students are placed in a cohort and are praised with placements in urban schools and assigned to highly qualified veteran teachers who work at the assigned schools. All the students attend university-recognized transcripted courses in their junior and senior years and attend UTA seminars each semester to build their knowledge about urban environments.

Sophomore Year

EDT 318 Junior (Year 1)

  • Yearlong class with field placement
  • Highly qualified teacher assigned as mentor for two-year period
  • 40-60 hours in classroom
  • Service learning options in urban school community
EDT 418 Senior (Year 2)

  • First semester: Teaching methods block
  • Field experience (80 hours, AYA, to 120 hours, ECE) in urban school with mentor teacher
  • Second semester: Full-time student teaching in mentor teacher’s classroom (10-15 week duration)

Additional Opportunities


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Our faculty and staff are committed to excellence in teaching, research and service on behalf of students, institution, professions and communities.
Image for Rochonda L.  Nenonene
937-229-3084 View full profile

Nenonene, Rochonda L.

First Year Experience Coordinator and Program Director, Urban Teacher AcademyFull-Time FacultySchool of Education and Allied Professions: Teacher Education
Image for Delores C.  Robinson
937-229-2489 View full profile

Robinson, Delores C.

Clinical AdministratorPart-Time Faculty, StaffSchool of Education and Allied Professions: Teacher Education
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We have what you need to succeed!

Applications

See the Selection Process tab for full details about how to apply to the Urban Teacher Academy.

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How do you apply?

University of Dayton students can participate in the Urban Teacher Academy (UTA) beginning their sophomore year in order to complete the UTA certificate. Students apply when they are freshmen or sophomores. Classroom teachers working in Dayton Public Schools are encouraged to apply as academy mentors to guide our student teachers.

Selection Criteria

The work of Martin Haberman and the SRI Teacher Perceiver Interview have informed the identification of selection criteria. A number of critical, desirable traits should be evident with both teacher and student candidates and can be demonstrated through the essay and the interview process. These common traits are perseverance, creativity, organization, creative problem-solving, empathy, desire, flexibility, adaptability, stamina and acceptance of diversity. Additionally, students must carry at least a 2.5 GPA.

The interview questions include the Haberman Star Urban Teacher Interview along with selected questions from the SRI Teacher Perceiver Interview.

Deadlines

The schedule for students and mentors is as follows:

  • Application deadline: March 22, 2013
  • Information meeting: March 20, 2013 (3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Chaminade Hall, Room 102)
  • Review of applications: March 25-29, 2013
  • Interviews: April 8-12, 2013
  • New cohort reception: April 24, 2013 (3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Chaminade Hall, Room 102)

If you have any questions or need assistance while preparing your application to the Urban Teacher Academy, contact Dr. Rochonda Nenonene at 937-229-3084.

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Apply to the Urban Teacher Academy!

Thank you for your interest in the Urban Teacher Academy. The need for exceptional teaching is greatest in urban school districts, and we commend your desire to serve this population of students in your professional career. Because of the critical nature of the urban challenge, the selection process for the Urban Teacher Academy is a major focus. 

Application

The student application comprises three parts:

  • An application form, which must be filled out completely. Download the Student Application (pdf) >>
  • An essay prompt, which will focus your thoughts as you complete the writing requirement.
  • Three student referral forms to be completed by your advisor, a previous professor, and a fellow classmate.
Submission

Please submit materials to the following address:

UTA Director
300 College Park Drive
Dayton, OH 45469-0510

You may also hand deliver your application to Dr. Rochonda Nenonene in the Urban Teacher Academy office in Chaminade Hall Annex, A-112N.

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Apply to be a Mentor Teacher!

The need for exceptional teaching is greatest in urban school districts, and we commend your desire to participate in the preparation of pre-service teaching students who have committed to serving this population of students in their professional careers. Without strong, effective and sensitive mentors, these future teachers will have difficulty acquiring the skills and attitudes necessary for success in urban schools. Because of the critical nature of the urban challenge, the selection process for the Urban Teacher Academy is a major focus. 

Application

The mentor application comprises three parts:

  • An application form, which must be filled out completely. Download the Mentor Application (pdf) >>
  • An essay prompt, which will focus your thoughts as you complete the writing requirement.
  • Three mentor referral forms to be completed by your building principal, a district administrator, and a fellow teacher.
Submission

Please submit materials to the following address:

UTA Director
300 College Park Drive
Dayton, OH 45469-0510

You may also hand deliver your application to Dr. Rochonda Nenonene in the Urban Teacher Academy office in Chaminade Hall Annex, A-112N.

For More Information