Kalamazoo Public Schools
Kalamazoo Public Schools is the largest and most diverse comprehensive urban school district in Southwestern Michigan, serving a population of more than 12,000 students. Central to its desire to give every child, every opportunity every time, the district has long committed to hiring teachers who reflect the diverse backgrounds of its students.
The district has 24 school buildings: 17 elementary schools (PreK-grade 5), four middle schools (grades 6-8), and three high schools — as well as a fully virtual option for students. KPS works hard to address the needs of all students, including extensive special education supports, academically talented enrichment for students requiring additional challenges, English as a Second Language (ESL), and weekly art, music and physical education classes for all elementary students. Middle school and high school students participate in a range of sports and extracurricular activities, including award-winning choral, robotics, forensics and mock trial programs.
The district is home to The Kalamazoo Promise, a post-secondary scholarship that is available for every KPS graduate who meets residency and attendance requirements. The Promise can be used at almost every post-secondary institution in Michigan.
Almost 38 percent of the district’s student population is African American, compared to only 13 percent of its teachers. To address that disparity, the district has several initiatives to cultivate teacher candidates from traditionally under-represented groups including teacher cadet programs within the district, active recruiting, and partnerships with student groups such as the Future Teachers of Color.
The Urban Teacher Residency Program (UTRP) is a unique opportunity to cultivate teachers from non-traditional backgrounds by giving existing non-teaching district staff, such as paraprofessionals, bus drivers and food service workers, the opportunity to earn teaching certificates while they continue their employment with the district.
The UTRP shifts the teacher education paradigm in two ways. One, it provides a measure of stability to allow education students to pursue their dreams while easing the financial burden of college. Two, the year-long residency — in comparison to the traditional 16-week student teaching experience — provides future educators with a better understanding of their profession and allows them to build more meaningful relationships with students, families and district staff.
KPS wants to lift up its community by lifting up individuals with a heart for children and a passion for teaching to become part of the change that Kalamazoo Public Schools aspires to achieve.
Contact: Steve Leland, Administrative Personnel Officer
Benton Harbor Area Schools
Greetings from Benton Harbor, a quiet coastal town on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan in southwest Michigan. Benton Harbor is home to Whirlpool and has a vibrant art scene, breweries and several wineries nearby. My name is Margaret Trout and I’m the Lead Teacher for the Urban Teacher Residency Program in Benton Harbor. Additionally, I support elementary educators at the Elementary Literacy Coordinator. With experience as a classroom teacher, reading interventionist, and literacy coach, I collaborate and support teaching staff with various levels of experience and expertise. We’d love to have you join us and begin an exciting career in one of our three elementary schools or our middle school. I recommend checking out the Benton Harbor Area Schools website and Facebook page for more information about the culture of our community and employment opportunities. Please reach out to me personally with any questions - I look forward to hearing from you!
- Margaret Trout, Lead Teacher, Benton Harbor Area Schools UTRP
ADDITIONAL DISTRICT PARTNERS
Battle Creek Public Schools
Kazoo School (Independent school)
Kentwood Public Schools
Mattawan Consolidated Schools
Niles Community Schools
Paw Paw Public Schools
South Haven Public Schools
Fortis Academy
Jackson Intermediate School District
Kent ISD
Kalamazoo RESA