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Drexel University’s School of Education is partnering with the School District of Philadelphia to support Drexel’s Philadelphia Teacher Residency program, which will provide salaries, benefits and scholarships to aspiring STEM teachers. The agreement will support up to 20 students who will spend 12 months working side-by-side with district teachers while taking Drexel classes required for Pennsylvania teacher certification in middle school and high school math and science subjects. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be guaranteed teaching positions in Philadelphia schools.'
"It is a very exciting time to teach in Philadelphia," said William R. Hite, EdD, superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia. "We are making great progress and seeing positive results, especially around early literacy, graduation rates and attendance. We are proud to be able to partner with Drexel University, which will help us to hire additional qualified teachers to join us in this work, especially in subject areas and schools with particular needs. By providing financial support upfront we can ensure our teachers are equipped with the tools they need to be successful in the classroom so that our students receive the education they deserve."
The agreement will allow “teacher residents” to earn a salary while working in district schools and taking classes towards teacher certification.
The Philadelphia Teacher Residency program at Drexel University is a 12-month blended learning program. Students take an accelerated course schedule while working alongside a mentor teacher trained and selected by the School District and the University. Mentor teachers provide valuable feedback to their assigned “teacher residents” who are applying their studies in a public school classroom. Students can apply for teacher certification in middle level (grades 4-8) math and science or secondary level (grades 7-12) in biology, chemistry, earth and space, general science, mathematics, and physics.
“Drexel is proud to support the District’s need of high quality teachers in STEM education,” said Sara Ulrich, EdD, 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.”
In addition to salaries and benefits, teacher residents also receive a substantial scholarship from the School District of Philadelphia that covers nearly their entire tuition. Drexel has created a Teacher Resident tuition rate that is 50 percent off of Drexel’s regular graduate tuition rate. Those who complete the program also receive up to two years of free post-program support from Drexel University School of Education faculty to assist with lesson planning and classroom management in addition to a teaching contract for Fall 2019.
To be eligible for the program, prospective students must have an appropriate bachelor’s degree, in addition to having passed the Praxis exams related to their desired certification area and background checks. Drexel will also hold in-person interviews with each potential teacher resident before the program begins this June.
For more information about the program or to apply, please visit: http://drexel.edu/soe/academics/certifications/teacher-certification/teacher-residency-program/.