We are currently recruiting prospective candidates for the Spring 2027 cohort!

Applications are due January 8, 2027

Applicant MUST be a current AACPS Unit 1 Employee

Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) Resident Teacher Program is a Maryland Approved Alternative Preparation Program (MAAPP) designed for individuals who want to become teachers but did not major in education. Whether you're a professional looking to change careers or a recent college graduate with a degree in another field, this program offers a pathway to teacher licensure. AACPS, in collaboration with Anne Arundel Community College (AACC), provides an accelerated teacher education program, and a pathway to becoming a licensed classroom teacher.

The Resident Teacher program offers a comprehensive experience that includes coursework, seminars, fieldwork, a supervised internship, and a residency lasting one to three school years at your placement school following the internship. Upon successful completion of the program, Resident Teachers will be eligible to apply for the MSDE Initial Professional License (IPL).

Most of the program meetings occur during the school day. However, there are a few after school commitments that are required for participation in the program.

Phases of the Resident Teacher Program

Phase 1: Application Process

Applying to the RT Program

Complete Resident Teacher Application and send the completed application along with the documents below via email to the Alternative Licensure Specialist assigned to your network:

Current Resume
Philosophy Statement
Transcripts from BA degree (unofficial transcripts accepted)

Administration Approval and Mentor Assignment:

The teacher candidate's administrator will be contacted to designate a mentor from the school. The assigned mentor will provide ongoing support to the teacher candidate throughout the duration of the program.

Phase 2: Internship

Internship Orientation:

A virtual orientation will occur before the start of the internship.

Internship:

During the 9 week (40 day) internship, the RT applicant will assume all of the normal responsibilities and duties in their school placement with guidance and assistance from a mentor teacher.

The Internship will consist of:

Orientation
inTASC Standards & Goal Setting Disposition Growth Plan
Student Profile Activity
Classroom Reflection
Goal Reflection and Artifact Reflection Activity
Final Reflection Meeting

Note: The RT Participant must pass the Praxis II Content by the end of the RT Internship to request MSDE licensure change. After successful completion of the internship the Resident Teacher participant's Conditional License will change to a Resident License (valid for 3 years). Licensure changes occur only 2x per year (January 1 and July 1).

Phase 3: Residency

Residency Orientation

A virtual orientation will occur before the start of the residency.

Residency

The RT participant will meet with their RT Specialist to develop a timeline for completion of the program. The Residency may be completed in 1 to 3 school years.

The residency consists of the following activities:

Deep Dive Assignments (InTASC Standard reviews)
Earning your Technology Badge Activity
Develop a portfolio with 30 artifacts and reflections
Exit Presentation of portfolio

MSDE Required Courses and Assessment

RT participants will complete the required MSDE courses and assessments during the program. ALL MSDE courses and assessment are required to be completed by the end of the residency in order for the RT participant to earn their Standard Professional Teaching License.

Click on your content area to view the required MSDE courses and assessments.

Elementary Content Area (grades 1 -6)

Early Childhood (PreK - 3)

Secondary

Physical Education