American University

09/12/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/12/2024 08:49

From Classroom to Career: AU's Groundbreaking Teaching Residency Program

In an exciting move to revolutionize high-quality teacher education, American University's School of Education (SOE) has launched a program that's turning heads in the education world. This August, the Residency for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (RETL) welcomed its inaugural cohort of nine teachers and aspiring educators, each embarking on a journey that promises to transform their lives and the future of education.

A Medical Model for Teacher Training

Imagine a teaching program that mirrors the intensity and hands-on experience of a medical residency. That's what AU has created. The RETL program, a partnership between AU's School of Education, the AU College of Arts and Sciences, and Friendship Public Charter Schools, offers a unique Master of Arts in Teaching that plunges students into the classroom from day one.

"This isn't your typical teacher training," says Jessica Cisneros, SOE's RETL Project Director. "Our residents are in the trenches, learning from mentor teachers and gaining real-world experience that's invaluable for their future careers."

Breaking Down Barriers: Making Education Accessible

With a $1.8 million grant from the Department of Education's Teacher Quality Partnership Program, AU is breaking down financial barriers for aspiring teachers:

  • A $5,000 living stipend for each student
  • Significant partnership tuition discounts
  • An additional $2,500 lifelong learning stipend for employees of the Friendship Public Charter School upon program completion

The result? Graduates can expect a significant salary increase of up to 75% as they transition from paraprofessional to lead teacher roles.

Meet the Pioneers: From Rookies to Veterans

The inaugural class of nine residents brings a diverse range of experiences to the program. Let's meet two of these trailblazers:

Charles Dixon: From Football Field to Classroom Champion

Charles Dixon's path to teaching is nothing short of inspirational. A former football player whose life was shaped by influential coaches, Dixon found his calling in special education after a life-threatening injury.

He became a first-time teacher in 2023, introduced to RETL through the Black Male Teacher Residency program, which aims to specifically address the professional effectiveness and personal growth of Black males and males of color.

Currently placed at the Armstrong campus of Friendship Public Charter School, Dixon is in the classroom alongside another teacher and a mentor teacher, while working toward his MAT in special education with a concentration in learning disabilities which he hopes to complete in May 2026.
His ultimate goal? To become a principal and make an even broader impact on students' lives.

Juilenne Townsend-Sanders: A Lifelong Passion for Early Education

With 32 years of teaching under her belt, Juilenne Townsend-Sanders brings a wealth of experience to the RETL program. Her journey began in 1992 as a before- and after-care teacher, igniting a passion that has only grown stronger over the decades. "I knew that was it," Townsend-Sanders said about her new career teaching when she began at Prince George's County Public Schools.

After getting her bachelor's degree in early childhood education in 2005, she hoped to earn a master's degree and to be certified in the specialty of teaching these youngest learners. Now teaching preschool at Friendship PCS's Blow Pierce Campus, she's fulfilling a long-held dream of earning her master's degree in early childhood education. Unlike some of her peers, Townsend-Sanders has no interest in administration. "I'm still in the honeymoon phase of this job!" she said. "I want to retire from the classroom."

A Bright Future for Education

As the RETL program looks to expand to 15 students per cohort in coming years, it's clear that AU is at the forefront of a teaching revolution. By combining immersive classroom experience with rigorous academic training, SOE doesn't just prepare teachers-they're shaping the future of education itself.

Learn more about this groundbreaking program by exploring the links below:

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