Exploring a Teacher Residency as a Recruitment and Retention Strategy for High-Need Districts

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Four
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Residency and Policy Studies for Teacher Diversity (Table 9)

Abstract

Effective recruitment and retention strategies of teachers remain elusive for school districts. This study examines the pilot implementation of a teacher residency program throughout 4 high-needs districts of a year-long teacher residency program. This program embeds 8 residents in these schools and provides various teacher preparation supports to help these beginning professionals sustain in the classroom. We interview district administrators about their recruitment and retention efforts, and then document how the teacher residents experienced these structures throughout their residency year. Findings have implications for improving this innovative and increasingly implemented teacher preparation structure towards raising the quality and diversifying the teacher supply.

Authors

• Valerie Hill-Jackson, Texas A&M University
  Presenting Author

• Cassidy Caldwell, Texas A&M University
  Presenting Author

• Andrew Kwok, Texas A&M University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Megan Svajda-Hardy, Texas A&M University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Shaun D Hutchins, Austin Independent School District
  Non-Presenting Author