Aspire Teacher Residency: Program Overview

Aspire Teacher Residency Program:
Earn Your Credential and Train to Teach With Aspire!

About the Aspire Teacher Residency

In partnership with the University of the Pacific, the Aspire Teacher Residency (ATR) is an intensive and supportive teacher training program that recruits and trains individuals of all ages and backgrounds to become highly-effective teachers.

Similar to the medical residency model, ATR prepares teachers by pairing theory and practice through master's level coursework and classroom practicum. The goal is to provide Teacher Residents with the theory and give them the opportunity to apply it in practice with the support of a successful Mentor Teacher.

The Aspire Teacher Residency Program offers:

A comprehensive four year program that integrates exceptional academic preparation and practical teaching experience
A Master of Arts in Education and California Preliminary Teaching Credential, in either Multiple Subject (K-8) or Single Subject (6-12) - English, Math, Science, Social Studies, or Special Education (Mild/Moderate) from the University of the Pacific at a deeply discounted tuition rate
The opportunity to work in a classroom and learn from a highly-effective Mentor Teacher four days/week for an entire school year
Priority hiring for teaching positions at an Aspire school for Residents who successfully complete the first year program

Program Options

ATR in California - train in California for one year, then teach with Aspire in California for 3 years (or more!). Residency placements are available in East Palo Alto, Oakland, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto.

ATR - Memphis Program - Aspire is opening elementary schools in Memphis, TN and the Aspire Teacher Residency is accepting applications for those who are interested in spending one year training in our California schools and then pursuing a K-8 teaching position in Memphis. With first year residency placements available in East Palo Alto, Oakland, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto, those who join the Residency program will spend their Residency year (year 1) at an Aspire school in California and then move to Memphis to teach and help open a new Aspire school in year 2. Residents will be expected to teach with Aspire in Memphis for at least three years.

Residency Overview

Year 1: Residency Year

Residents have the opportunity to work in three learning environments including:

The opportunity to work alongside an Aspire Mentor Teacher, four days per week, preparing to gradually take over the classroom teaching
An all day seminar, one day per week, with their Regional Cohort, discussing the coursework theories and classroom practices at Aspire
Online courses in education theory through University of the Pacific during the summer and school year

At the successful completion of Year 1, Residents receive their Master of Arts in Education and California Preliminary Teaching Credential

Years 2-3: Induction Years

Residents work in their own classrooms at Aspire
Residents receive one-on-one support from an Instructional Coach
CA Residents: Residents complete Aspire's Teacher Induction Program and receive their CA Professional Clear Credential at the successful completion of year 3
Memphis Residents: Residents help Aspire open a new school in Memphis, TN and transfer their credential to Tennessee

Year 4: Final Year of Residency Program

Residents continue teaching in their own classrooms
Residents may pursue other career avenues within Aspire Public Schools (i.e. Lead Teacher, Mentor Teacher, Administrator)

Financial Overview, 2013/14

The Aspire Teacher Residency financial structure is intended to provide an affordable, high quality pathway to teaching. The core components to the Aspire Teacher Residency Program Financial Package are:

1. Residents pay the deeply discounted University of the Pacific tuition for their first year.

2. Residents receive a stipend of $13,500, plus full medical benefits, for the first year of the program.

3. Financial aid is available through the University of the Pacific's Financial Aid Office in order to help cover the other costs.

4. Loans acquired during undergraduate education can be deferred by enrolling in a Master's program.

5. Once hired as a full time Aspire teacher in year 2, Residents receive $1,500 of tuition reimbursement for each year as a full-time Aspire team member. This means that nearly 50% of the UOP tuition is reimbursed after 3 years of teaching, and nearly 100% is reimbursed after 6 years of teaching for Aspire!

6. Memphis Program Only: Up to $2,000 reimbursement for travel expenses to Memphis during year 1 to ensure that Residents become and/or remain connected to the community where they will teach, $600/month housing stipend in year 1, and relocation reimbursement up to $5,000 to cover moving costs to California in year 1 and up to $5,000 to cover moving costs to Memphis in year 2.