WMU Urban Teacher Residency Program to begin summer 2021

Jan. 22, 2021

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the College of Education and Human Development will partner with Benton Harbor Area Schools and Kalamazoo Public Schools to launch the Urban Teacher Residency Program on July 1, 2021. The purpose of this program is to recruit and prepare diverse teacher candidates to teach in Benton Harbor Area Schools and Kalamazoo Public Schools. Urban Teacher Residents will receive a $20,000 stipend to participate in the program. Every July a new cohort of 25 residents will start the program.

The Urban Teacher Residency Program will recruit and select current employees with Bachelor’s degrees in Benton Harbor Area Schools and Kalamazoo Public Schools who have the desire and passion to become certified elementary teachers. Urban Teacher Residents will co-teach with trained mentors and receive extensive coaching during the school year.

In this 12-month program, Urban Teacher Residents will take online graduate courses in culturally responsive teaching and elementary content standards. They will also complete a research project using assessment data to inform their teaching practices. Upon completing the MA program in Elementary Education, they will become certified teachers in the district and receive 3 years of comprehensive induction support to be effective urban educators.

Please contact Dr. Regena Nelson for more information about the program.