Denver Public Schools hire undocumented immigrant teachers
Posted: Apr 11, 2014 2:30 PM CST | Updated: Nov 5, 2014 2:03 PM CST
Denver, CO (KDVR) -- Through a partnership with Teach for America, Denver Public Schools has hired two previously undocumented immigrants as teachers.
District spokeswoman Kristy Armstrong said the teachers were hired through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals directive. This policy gives temporary deportation relief and work authorization for immigrants who qualify.
To qualify, the candidate must have come to the U.S. while under the age of 16, among other criteria.
It gives a person the chance to live and work in the U.S.
\"We have two teachers on DACA status who have been hired recently,\" Armstrong said. \"This is exciting news for our schools because one of our core strategies is ensuring we have great teachers in every classroom, and it is especially impactful to have educators who have shared the same experiences as our kids. So we're excited to have this partnership with Teach For America that has cleared the way for educators with deferred-action status to teach in our classrooms.\"
Armstrong said DPS is looking to expand the program \"significantly\" next year.
The news brought immediate criticism from some people who say there are plenty of qualified people to teach who need work and who are American citizens.
Teach for America is a national program that brings young people into classrooms as teachers. They are not licensed teachers, but are issued an alternate license to teach.
