• Practical Experience: Resident Teachers will work alongside a Mentor Teacher in the classroom for a minimum of 3 -4 full days per week. ​As the program progresses, residents will take on increasing responsibilities, ensuring they are well-prepared to teach in their own classrooms upon program completion.
  
• Credential Classes: Residents take online​ coursework through one of our credentialing partners and engage in ongoing California Commission on Teaching Credentialing (CTC) assessments during the year.​
• ​​​ Cohort Model: Residents learn and grow together through a supportive cohort structure focused on collaboration, reflection, and skill-building.
• ​​ Quality Mentorship: Residents receive continuous guidance and support from dedicated Mentor Teachers, carefully chosen for their expertise and passion for the profession. Each resident is paired with an experienced Mentor Teacher who offers hands-on coaching, models best practices, and upholds the highest professional standards, fostering both personal and professional growth.
• Job Application Coaching: As part of the Residency Program’s Service Commitment, residents are provided with extensive job application support, including resume review and mock interview preparation sessions.
• ​​ Ongoing Professional Support: Residents receive ongoing wraparound support from this program during and beyond their residency year. This includes regular professional learning sessions, coaching support, and career guidance as residents transition into their own classrooms.
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In addition to hands-on clinical practice and mentorship with a Mentor Teacher, residents are required to complete credential coursework through one of our IHE partners. Each partner supports specific teaching credential areas:

• Teachers College of San Joaquin - ​ Online Program
• Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (Elementary Education)
  
• Single Subject: Math or Science
• Education Specialist: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN)
  
• Education Specialist: Extensive Support Needs (ESN)
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• ​​​​​​​​​ Santa Clara University - Online Program​
  
• Single Subject: Math or Science
• ​ ​San Franc​isco State University​ - Hybrid Online Program
• Education Specialist: Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
• Education Specialist: Mild to Moderate Support Needs (MMSN)
  
• ​Education Specialist: Extensive Support Needs (ESN)​
  

Placements are guided by residents' preferences; however, they are contingent upon the availability of trained Mentor Teachers in aligned credential areas. 

Our commitment is to ensure that every resident receives a supportive, enriching experience that equips them for a successful teaching career. 

Currently, we have partnerships with the following districts for placements during the residency program:

• Cambrian School District
• Cupertino Union School District - Special Education (SPED) only
• Gilroy Unified School District
• Los Altos School District​
  
• Los Gatos Union School District
  
• Mount Pleasant School District
• Morgan Hill Unified School District
• Santa Clara Unified School District - Visual & P​erforming Arts (VAPA) only
• SCCOE Special Education - SPED-ESN only
• Union School District​
  

1. Do I need to have teaching experience to apply for the Teacher Residency Program?
   Teacher residency programs are designed for individuals who are new to teaching but passionate about entering the profession. Some candidates have worked in school settings with students previously but this is not required.
2. Why do I need to submit two applications?
   Teacher Residency Programs are a partnership between an Institution of Higher Education(IHE) and SCCOE, a Local Education Agency (LEA). Each organization has its own specific admissions requirements because they play different roles in the residency program. Additionally, submitting two separate applications helps protect your personal data and privacy, as we don’t share information between the organizations without your consent.
3. What if I don't pass the required exams before the application deadline (e.g., CSET)?
   All admitted candidates are required to demonstrate Subject Matter Competency (SMC) by the program start date, which is typically in mid-July. Typically, candidates demonstrate SMC by taking a set of exams called the CSETs. Program admissions prioritizes those who have demonstrated SMC by their date of application.​
4. Do I get to choose who my mentor teacher will be in the program?
   No. SCCOE works with partner districts to match residents and mentors based on a variety of factors, including mentor availability, city of residence, employment status, and credential area. Residents are not encouraged to seek out their own mentors. If you are currently a classified staff member, SCCOE will work with your district to match you with a mentor who meets CTC Mentor Requirements and allows you to maintain your paraprofessional employment as much as possible. However, this is not guaranteed, and feasibility will vary by credential area.
5. ​​​What happens after I complete the teacher residency program?
   After completing the teacher residency program, candidates are eligible for a Preliminary Teaching Credential and can serve as a teacher of record in a classroom. In California, Preliminary Teaching Credentials are valid for 5 years. To earn a Clear Teaching Credential, teachers must enroll in a two-year induction program while serving as a teacher of record. This is typically at no cost to the teacher and is facilitated by their district or county of employment. Upon successful completion of the induction, teachers can apply for a Clear Credential, which allows them to continue teaching in California without the need for further renewal requirements.
6. What is a resident's obligation to the state of California?
   Candidates who complete the teacher residency program are required to teach full-time in a California public school district for a minimum of four (4) full years within eight (8) years of obtaining their Preliminary Teaching Credential. ​The t​ime spent as a teacher of record on either a Preliminary Credential or Clear Credential will count toward meeting this four-year requirement.