UHart Partners With CT Teacher Residency Program

"We are thrilled to continue dismantling barriers and providing opportunities for TRP's diverse candidates and Program completers via this partnership and degree pathway with the University of Hartford," said Dr. Violet Jiménez Sims, Managing Director of Academic Programming for CT TRP. "This collaboration marks a significant stride towards empowering diverse educators to ascend academically and professionally. By bridging our program's challenging, innovative coursework with the University's esteemed academic resources, we are not only addressing the critical teacher shortage but also cultivating teachers equipped with the advanced skills necessary to advance TRP's vision 'to create opportunities for all children and transform schools to be diverse and inclusive environments'."

The Connecticut Teacher Residency Program (CT TRP), managed by CREC in partnership with the RESC (Regional Educational Service Centers) Alliance, is focused on diversifying the teaching staff across the state of Connecticut. Adding a pathway to obtaining a master's degree-with nearly half of the credits completed-is a significant step towards the goal of attracting and retaining these diverse teachers in the state. Advanced degrees such as a master's, or the equivalent coursework, are one of the best ways for educators to gain valuable skills, increase teacher pay, and work towards leadership roles.

CT TRP, since its inception in 2019, offers a unique approach to training non-certified candidates with a bachelor's degree by partnering with school districts to provide a residency model leading to State Teaching Certification. Residents and graduates give students windows and mirrors into their lived experiences and possibilities for their future. The program began in 2019 as a pilot in CREC's Magnet Schools for elementary certification and is now offered in districts across Connecticut. In 2023 CT TRP added a pilot for Special Education certification, and in March 2024 received approval for a new Middle School Mathematics Certification program.