What is the Avance teacher residency model?

A teacher residency allows aspiring educators to earn their preliminary teaching credential in just one year. It combines university coursework with hands-on classroom experience alongside a mentor teacher, all while being a paid employee of the school.

Avance’s teacher residency model includes:

• Online evening courses through LMU for the preliminary credential

• Three days per week working in a classroom with a mentor teacher receiving an hourly rate for pay.

• One day per week serving as a substitute teacher at the school of employment receiving a sub rate for pay

• Wednesdays off campus participating in Avance seminar and LMU coursework with the Avance cohort of residents

Avance Residency Los Angeles uses a cohort-based model that integrates mentorship, coaching, and practical experience to ensure residents are fully prepared for their first day as lead teachers.

Why should I choose the teaching residency?

The Avance Teacher Residency is an investment in yourself and your future students. It’s a research-driven, hands-on pathway that prepares you to lead with confidence from day one.

• Learn from experts: Work side-by-side with an experienced mentor teacher who models best practices and provides ongoing coaching and feedback.

• Earn while you learn: Receive up to $40,000 in pay and retirement as a school employee while completing your credential and receive a minimum of $8,000 scholarship at LMU.

• Be part of a community: Grow within a supportive network of cohort peers, mentors, and coaches who share your commitment to educational equity and excellence.

• Proven impact: Research shows that residency-trained teachers are more effective and stay in the classroom longer, creating lasting change for students and communities.

How is the resident teaching year different from student teaching?

In a student teaching model, potential teachers take classes separate from a classroom before getting placed with a mentor. A residency has residents collaborating with a mentor in a real classroom from day one and throughout the entire school year. 

Residencies are a 1-year program for the preliminary teaching credential, a traditional program with student teaching ranges from 1.5-2 years. 

Residents are paid for their time; student teachers are not paid. Avance residents will be classified as employees of the school they are placed at. 

How much do I make?

The full compensation package received by an Avance resident is $48,200 for the residency year. Compensation specifics are dependent upon each organization. Please reach out to the organization you aim to join for the residency to see the breakdown of the hourly rate, retirement, and stipends that will be received in the residency year. 

Camino Nuevo Charter Academy

Sarah Tapia-Pruett, Associate Director of Teacher Residency

sarah.tapia-pruett@caminonuevo.org

STEM Preparatory Schools

Lisa Marcelino, Senior Director of Staff Development

lmarcelino@stem-prep.org

Para Los Niños

Katie Clark, 

How much is tuition?

The total cost of a Multiple Subject or Single Subject Credential at Loyola Marymount University is $32,314, and for a credential in Special Education, the total cost of tuition is $47,252. 

Avance Residency has worked to reduce the total cost to the resident. Cost below do not reflect the additional Avance Residency Scholarship. General Education Residents receive an additional scholarship of $8,000 toward the residency year, and Education Specialists receive an additional $10,000 of scholarship funds towards the residency year coursework. This is in addition to any other grants that residents apply for including the Golden State Teacher Grant, Federal Teach Grant, or other scholarship opportunities provided by LMU. 

After LMU and Avance scholarships are applied, resident out of pocket costs for the preliminary credential:

• General Education: $10,600

• Education Specialists: $14,400

• General Education in Music, Art, or PE: $6,195

What financial aid is offered?

The LMU SOE Scholarship and  Avance Tuition Contribution are guaranteed financial assistance.  Candidates should also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and then submit it to LMU. For more information about financial aid through LMU, please visit the website for the University's Office of Financial Services. 

What benefits am I offered? 

All residents have the option to participate in LMU’s health care program at an annual cost of $2,650.

In addition to health care, you will have the same benefits as full-time employees at your school, including retirement and sick leave.

What happens after completion of the Residency Program?

After successfully completing your residency year and meeting program and state credential requirements, you are given priority hiring for a teaching position at one of the schools in the Avance consortium.

What are the  responsibilities of the Resident?

As a resident, you’ll serve as both a student and an educator-in-training. As a student, you’ll participate in online courses during after-school hours over the course of the academic year. As a developing educator, you’ll spend four days a week at your school site- three days working and learning alongside your mentor teacher in the classroom, and one of those days dedicated to substitute teaching. Additionally, you’ll take part in weekly seminar sessions with your residency cohort.