Cal Poly’s Teaching For Inclusivity and Equity Residency (TIER) partnership is a multi-disciplinary, post-baccalaureate teaching residency program, which focuses on two teacher shortage areas of Special Education & Bilingual Education. During their credential program residents receive a $27,000 living wage stipend and commit to teaching for teaching in partner district for three years after completing their credential. 

Teacher Residents earn a teaching credential and master’s degree in one of three pathways:

Special Education Pathways (4 quarter program; Starts Summer '23 until Spring '24)

• Pathway 1: Special Education Masters + Education Specialist Credential 

• Pathway 2: Special Education Masters + Education Specialist Credential + Bilingual Education Authorization

Bilingual General Education Pathway (7 quarter program; Starts Summer '23 until Winter '25)

• Pathway 3: Curriculum and Instruction Masters + Multiple Subject (Elementary) or Single Subject (Secondary) teaching credential + Bilingual Education Authorization 

New teachers completing this residency will engage in a year-long, intensive clinical placements with our partner districts in Santa Maria and Five-Cities areas. 

While the program of study will vary across the program pathways, all program residents will be trained in Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) in Special Education and Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT) to better address the strength and needs of K-12 emergent bilinguals and students with disabilities.