This article was originally published in The Notebook. In August 2020, The Notebook became Chalkbeat Philadelphia.
The Philadelphia School District is looking for teachers in special education, science, and math to be part of the Teacher Residency Program for one year in a full-time teacher preparation initiative.
Superintendent William Hite said the program helps recruit better teachers.
“The Teacher Residency Program is an exciting way for us to reach diverse candidates and ensure we have dynamic, passionate teachers in front of our students,” Hite said in a press release. “This program plays a crucial role in working toward our anchor goal of filling our schools with the best possible educators and leaders.”
Teachers in the program will earn a teaching certificate while taking the program and are required to then work for the District for three more years.
“This program allows us recruit and retain teachers trained right here in Philadelphia, who understand our schools and the experiences of our students,” said Hite.
The cost of the program, $7,500, will be covered by the District, and program participants will receive $38,611. Teacher residents will also be eligible to receive full Philadelphia Federation of Teachers benefits.
Universities partnering with the program include Relay Graduate School of Education, Temple University, and Drexel University, with more schools being announced later.
“Drexel is proud to support the District’s need of high-quality teachers in STEM education,” said Sara Ulrich, associate dean of teacher education and undergraduate affairs at Drexel’s School of Education. “Our teacher residency model is a tried and true program that sets teachers up for a long and rewarding career in teaching, and we are excited to prepare a new cohort of teacher residents.”
Residents take on a similar role to student teachers and work under a mentor teacher for a full academic year. The program begins with coursework during the summer, with residents expected to report to their placement schools by the end of August.
The application deadline for candidates focused on math and science is June 4.
More information about the program, including a link to the application, is at https://jobs.philasd.org/teacher-residency/.