The mission of the CT Teacher Residency Program is to provide college graduates with an alternate route to teacher certification based on a residency model that focuses on recruiting, preparing, increasing and sustaining teachers of color in schools across the state of Connecticut. Current certification pathways include elementary education (grades 1-6) and special education (grades PreK-12).
Residents participate in courses for 14 to 18 months at no cost and are eligible for a full-time teaching position in a partner district upon successfully completing the program requirements.
To date, over 100 people have completed this program since 2019 and 92% of them are teaching in a Connecticut public or charter school district.
Being a part of the Teacher Residency Program (TRP) means I will be able to be a part of a network that truly cares about building a community in and out of the classroom.
The CT Teacher Residency Program is an alternate route to teacher certification focused on increasing teachers of color across the state of Connecticut. Current certification pathways include elementary education (grades 1-6) and special education (grades PreK-12).
Resident candidates will be enrolled in rigorous coursework for 14 to 18 months and serve in a paid residency position in a mentor teacher’s classroom for the school year. Residents will work in a partnering district and attend classes virtually and on-site in one of our regional cohort locations. Resident selection prioritizes potential to work with diverse students and minimizes barriers to traditional certification program admission.
Program details:
Coursework is designed by practicing educators and prioritizes skills necessary to be successful in a diverse classroom.
Residents work for one year in a partner district under a mentor teacher while receiving pay and benefits.
Residents who successfully meet program requirements are offered a full-time teaching position in the partner district as positions are available.
Residents are eligible to earn CT Initial Educator Certification after serving 10 months as Teacher of Record and in their own classroom and completing certification requirements.
Students at CT Teacher Residency Program have reduced the cost of their program using these methods. Check with CT Teacher Residency Program to see if you can, too!
Amount
Description
Work Study, Working While Still Enrolled
In addition to no cost for the program, students at CT Teacher Residency Program earn while they learn.
Resident Salary of approximately $30,000 plus summer stipends.
Certifications
Comprehensive Special Education, Grades Pre-K-12 Elementary, Grades 1-6
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.
Program Hallmarks
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.
Stats
Gender
Male
Female
26%
74%
Ethnicity
American Indian or Alaskan Native
Asian
Black
Hispanic/Latino
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander
White
Two or more races
0%
7%
60%
19%
0%
10%
3%
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