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Q: What is the Teacher Residency program?
A: The Teacher Residency program is designed to give Cal State University East Bay General Education and Ed Specialist teaching credential candidates a robust paid learning experience anchored by a full year of experience in a Mentor Teacher’s classroom in a Castro Valley school.
Q: How is this program different from a traditional student teaching experience or being an intern?
A: In a traditional student teaching experience, you will likely have 2 or more placements working in classrooms. There is no pay for traditional student teaching. Interns are paid positions as the teacher of record in a classroom. They are generally supported by another teacher at the school, but they are alone in their classrooms. In the Residency Program, you will have the best of both scenarios: a paid full-year experience working directly with a Mentor Teacher in their classroom. Upon successful completion of the Residency Program, you will have the opportunity to interview for job openings with Castro Valley Unified.
Q: How is the Residency Program funded?
A: The program is funded through grants from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Q: Who can participate?
A: Students already enrolled in a Cal State East Bay teaching credential program are eligible to apply to be Teacher Residents. Both General Education and Ed Specialist candidates are welcome to apply. General Education candidates will participate in the Residency Program during the final two semesters of their credential program. Ed Specialist candidates will participate during the first year of their credential program. Interested people should first apply to the university, and then apply for the Residency program after they have been admitted to the CSUEB credential program.
Q: How does the program work?
A: A teaching credential candidate is paired with an experienced Castro Valley Mentor Teacher. They will work together for the full Castro Valley school year, with the Teacher Resident in the classroom four days per week, five hours per day for the entire year. During the year, the Mentor Teacher will provide guidance, support, and feedback, and the Teacher Resident will take on increasing responsibility for teaching in the classroom.
Q: When do credential candidates do their CSUEB coursework?
A: CSUEB coursework is completed after the completion of the Castro Valley school day. In-person classes and online sessions run Monday through Thursday, but not on Fridays.
Q: Castro Valley and CSUEB have different academic calendars. Which one does a Teacher Resident follow?
A: Teacher Residents will be required to follow both the Castro Valley academic year calendar and the CSUEB calendar. Teacher Residents will be expected to start in their Mentor’s classroom on the Castro Valley certificated teacher work day before the start of the school year, and attend each school day through the end of the certificated teacher work year. CSUEB’s academic calendar will govern when the Teacher Resident takes the credential program coursework.
Q: Are the positions paid?
A: Yes, both the Mentor Teacher and the Teacher Resident are paid a stipend for the year.
Q: Are there limitations as to how the stipend may be used?
A: No, it is up to the discretion of the stipend recipient to determine whether the money is used to pay school expenses, living expenses, or something else.
Q: What are the requirements to be a Mentor Teacher?
A: You must have at least three years experience teaching in Castro Valley, hold a clear credential that matches the credential the Teacher Resident is working toward, be in Permanent status, submit an application, and be selected by the Teacher Residency Committee.
Q: What happens after the year of Teacher Residency?
A: Teacher Residents who successfully complete the residency program and earn their preliminary credential must teach in a public school somewhere in California for four (4) additional years within an eight (8) year period following the year they earn their preliminary credential.
Q: What if I don’t stay in Castro Valley after completing the Residency Program?
A: You will be required to stay in contact with Castro Valley for the full four-year required teaching period, letting us know what you are teaching and which California public school district you are working for. CVUSD is responsible for reporting that information to the State of California.
Q: How do I apply?
A: Experienced Castro Valley teachers interested in applying to be a Mentor Teacher, fill out this application. CSUEB Credential candidates interested in participating in the program, fill out this application.
Q: Who can I contact for more information?
A: Contact Kim Kelly at kimkelly@cv.k12.ca.us for more information.
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