Additional Resources

In the United States,  just four years of college are required to become a licensed teacher. The work of teachers, especially in an urban environment such as Des Moines, is complex, challenging, and demanding. A four-year degree simply is not sufficient to adequately prepare teachers for the success we want for them and our students. The BLUE contract is designed to provide new teachers with support they need to develop into the best teachers in the country and to meet the needs of a diverse student population, many of whom live in poverty and whose first language is not English.

In the spring of 2012, the DMEA and DMPS leadership embarked on a bold plan to provide the most progressive teacher development opportunity in the country. The BLUE contract provides teachers with additional professional development, robust mentoring, and the opportunity to earn a Masters of Science in Culturally Responsive Leadership and Instruction from Drake University.

The following documents provide additional information:

• BLUE Contract Snapshot
• Building Leaders in Urban Education Handbook
• BLUE Cohort Meeting Schedule
• BLUE Evaluation and Support