At the beginning of the school year, Residents are placed in Sweetwater with their Resident Coaches based on a variety factors, including university requirements, school master schedules, and Resident/Coach feedback. 

Residents share a Lab Class with their Resident Coach, in which the Coach and Resident purposefully experiment with different co-teach models to learn and grow as teachers in a collaborative environment.  Residents also have 2 additional class periods in which they follow a trajectory leading to increased autonomy and responsibility in the classroom. Resident daily schedules and the speed at which they gain classroom autonomy is individualized depending on each Resident's university guidelines as well as their growing skills and confidence. 

In addition to being nested in a supportive, collaborative classroom environment, Residents become part of a larger network across the Sweetwater District.  Residents attend quarterly Residency events to engage in professional development, network across school sites and university programs, and learn more about the Sweetwater District. 

Upon successful completion of their clinical practice in Sweetwater, Residents can begin their teaching career with the confidence and pedagogical expertise to teach anywhere in California.  California teachers must complete a Teacher Induction program to clear their preliminary credential and the Sweetwater District provides Teacher Induction at no cost to teachers. If a Resident teaches in a California school district that does not provide free Teacher Induction, then Residency will cover the cost of tuition for their Teacher Induction program.