CT Teacher Residency Program

Residents participate in courses for 14 or 18 months. They start with a two-day orientation where they get to work with their mentor and program staff. Then, they take 6 weeks of full-time course work during the summer months.

After completing the summer coursework, residents will begin working with a mentor teacher in a partner district while receiving pay and benefits for a full school year. During the fall, winter, and spring, residents will take evening courses twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The following summer, 6 weeks of additional courses will be taken. After completing all required coursework and program requirements, students are eligible to become teacher of record in their second year in the partner district. 

After completing their first year and testing requirements, residents earn Connecticut certification and are required to teach for two more years at a minimum in the same partnering district.

Residents work for a full year under a mentor teacher in a partner district. They learn every aspect of teaching through the residency experience and benefit from applying what they learn in their courses.

Resident selection prioritizes potential to work with diverse students and minimizes barriers to traditional certification program admission.

Residents work for a full year with a trained mentor teacher in a gradual release of responsibility model ultimately taking over 100% of the classroom responsibility.

During this time, residents and mentors are supported by a program coach who guides them through observations and feedback.

During their first year of full time teaching, a sponsor teacher and alumni coach will be assigned to work with them.

Residents are eligible for a full-time teaching position in a partner district upon successfully meeting program requirements. They are also eligible for an elementary or special education resident educator certificate with a three-year commitment to teach in a partner district.

Professional development, affinity groups and Alumni check-ins are provided to program completers to ensure continued success in the classroom throughout their first three years of teaching. Alumni opportunities beyond year 3 are also available.