Teacher Residency

There are many ways to get your teaching credential in California. Enrolling in a traditional credential program after finishing your college bachelor’s degree is one way, but did you know there are many other routes into teaching? One option gaining popularity is called a teacher residency program.

How does a teacher residency program work?

A teacher residency program will match you with a carefully chosen mentor teacher to guide you as you gradually learn to plan lessons and support students throughout the school year. You will work side-by-side with your mentor in the classroom, and you will study throughout the year with a group of other student teachers who take coursework together (your cohort) and learn from each other’s experiences to become a skilled and effective teacher prior to taking on your own classroom. In addition to the benefits of how residencies are designed, student teachers receive financial support in residencies; for example, some residency programs offer stipends towards living expenses. Another exciting fact about residencies is that graduates of residency programs tend to stay in the education profession at high rates, and research indicates that teacher residency programs are especially effective in recruiting and retaining Black educators.. You can learn more about the key features of effective residency programs by reading the article ‘Key Characteristics of Effective California Teacher Residency Programs.’

Teacher residency programs vary. According to the article ‘Preparing future educators: Group of students pursuing credential participating in new special education residency programs,’ prospective teachers who are enrolled in the California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) program do the following:

• During the one-year program, residents co-teach three days a week with the assistance of teachers from the school they’re working in. The residents work with their special education students individually or in small groups as well as support them in their general education classes. For the other two days of the week, the residents work on assignments from their CSUB classes. They are also allowed to substitute one day a week.

Heather Weatherman, a participant in the CSUB program, said she was looking for a way to work with educators to get classroom experience to develop a strong foundation for teaching special education. "I think it’s amazing that CSUB started this, and I’m glad they were able to do it in Greenfield," Heather said. "I think this was the best choice I could have made. I would recommend this path to anyone who wants to teach special education."

What are the benefits of a teacher residency program?

There are many benefits to a teacher residency program, including:

• You learn in the community where you will most likely be hired as a full-time teacher after you finish your credential
• The stronger community connection supports you to be the most effective early-career teacher that you can be for your students and their families
• Robust mentorship and support network
• You assume classroom responsibilities gradually and with support from your mentor, your cohort, and your professors
• On average, residencies attract and develop a more racially and ethnically diverse teaching staff
• Higher retention rates for new teachers staying in the profession
• Financial support that may be used for tuition and/or living expenses
• Careful selection of and financial compensation for mentors

Is there funding for teacher residency programs?

Yes! The 2021 and 2022 California state budget included $350 million for grants to support Local Education Agencies as they partner with Commission-approved teacher preparation programs. These grants help programs expand, strengthen, improve access to, or create teacher residency programs. Learn more about these grants on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) website.

How can you enroll in a teacher residency program?

Start by finding a teacher credentialing program in your area that includes a residency program that meets your needs. You can approach this in two ways:

• Dozens of districts, county offices of education, and charter schools around the state have residencies;
• Go to the CTC website to find a program near you
• Contact the CTC for questions about current programs: credentials@ctc.ca.gov
• Reach out to your local County Office of Education or school district to see if they offer a teacher residency program in your area.