TCU Teacher Residency Program
Preparing the Next Generation of Educators Through Hands-On Experience
The TCU Teacher Residency Program is a transformative, immersive experience that equips aspiring educators with the skills, knowledge and hands-on training needed to excel in diverse classroom settings.
This structured residency program ensures that teacher residents gain real-world teaching experience while benefiting from mentorship, co-teaching strategies and professional learning communities.
Key Benefits
- Enhanced Certification: Successful residents earn enhanced teacher residency certification through the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Residents will only need to successfully complete 2 out of the 3 TExES certification exams required for initial certification.
- Paid Residency Positions: Residents receive a stipend ranging from $10,000 to $20,000.
- Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Benefits: Residents gain one year of TRS retirement credit and full benefits.
- Comprehensive Practical Experience: A full year of practice-based experience equips students with real-world teaching expertise.
- High-Quality Mentorship: Residents receive mentorship and coaching from experienced professionals.
- Integrated Learning: Coursework is directly connected to fieldwork, reinforced by professional development sessions led by program staff.
- Potential for Higher Pay Post-Graduation: Enhanced certification positions graduates for higher salary scales within participating districts.
Our Approach
The TCU Teacher Residency Program not only equips future educators with the skills they need to succeed, but also strengthens schools and communities by fostering a collaborative, student-centered approach to teaching. These meaningful impacts create lasting change, one classroom at a time.
By fostering collaboration, leadership and innovative teaching practices, the program enhances educational outcomes for students while addressing the evolving needs of educators and school districts.
Empowering Current Teachers
The program provides campus teachers with opportunities to assume leadership and mentorship
roles without leaving the classroom. By guiding aspiring teachers, experienced educators
grow professionally, helping to strengthen retention and job satisfaction.
Enhanced Instructional Support for Students
Having two teachers in the classroom creates more opportunities for personalized instruction.
This collaborative teaching model allows educators to:
- Provide individualized attention.
- Conduct effective interventions.
- Collect and analyze data to improve learning outcomes.
Building a Stronger Teacher Pipeline
Partnering with local school districts, the program establishes a steady stream of
highly trained and qualified teacher candidates. This ensures districts can address
staffing needs with educators who are well-prepared to make an immediate impact.
Preparing Confident, Capable First-Year Teachers
Graduates of the residency program enter the profession ready to excel in diverse
educational settings.
Their yearlong, practice-based training gives them the tools, confidence, and experience to support all learners effectively from the start.
The TCU Teacher Residency Program is designed to immerse future teachers in real classrooms from the beginning. Participants work closely with mentor teachers, gradually assuming more teaching responsibilities while receiving feedback and support. The program fosters collaborative learning environments and prepares residents to navigate the challenges of today’s education landscape.
The TCU Teacher Residency Program follows a gradual release model, allowing residents to co-teach and lead classrooms in a structured, supportive environment. The progression of responsibilities ensures teacher residents build confidence and competence in lesson planning, student engagement, classroom management and assessment strategies.
Our program integrates various evidence-based co-teaching methods to ensure effective classroom engagement.
Throughout the program, teacher residents engage in Professional Learning Communities, classroom observation, and teacher leadership training. The program aligns with TTESS standards, ensuring teacher residents are prepared to meet state certification requirements upon completion.
Key Skills Development
- Lesson Planning and Differentiation
- Classroom Management Techniques
- Culturally Responsive Teaching
- Student Engagement and Assessment
Support Systems
- Weekly mentorship from experienced educators
- Field supervisor check-ins for personalized guidance
- Professional networking with school district partners
Contact Us
Have questions about the TCU Teacher Residency Program? Interested in serving as a
mentor teacher or host school? We'd love to connect.
