BRENTWOOD, CA — Brentwood Union School District, in partnership with Saint Mary’s College, has created a new teacher residency program that makes getting a teaching credential more affordable and attainable. BUSD is working diligently to address teacher shortages and diversify the district’s teacher workforce to better match the diversity of the Brentwood community.
Brentwood Union School District (BUSD) has partnered with Saint Mary’s College (SMC) in Moraga to support prospective teachers in Far East County in earning a multiple-subject teaching credential at a decreased cost through SMC’s Kalmanovitz School of Education. BUSD is applying for a Teacher Residency Grant through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing that would pay each teacher resident roughly $30,000 to help defray tuition at SMC.
This program combines a year of coursework at SMC and a concurrent year of in-classroom student teaching with a BUSD mentor teacher. This program allows the resident to earn a California preliminary multiple-subject teaching credential and an all-but-guaranteed teaching job with BUSD after the year of residency.
According to Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Chris Calabrese, “Teacher Residency programs are the future of teacher recruitment. The education of new teachers has to be part of the larger educational system of districts. School districts must work together with universities to build relationships with teachers from day one.”
Carol Ann Gittens, Dean of Saint Mary’s Kalmanovitz School of Education, adds that, “Together with Brentwood School District, we take immense pride in the opportunity to partner in the preparation of dedicated educators who not only teach, but inspire, uplift, and enrich the lives of every student and family of this educational community. The program integrates coursework with on-the-job training, ensuring that theoretical knowledge is applied in real classroom settings, enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of the resident teachers’ education. This partnership is a commitment to cultivating school environments where curiosity thrives and ensuring students excel on their path toward academic and personal success.”
Superintendent Dana Eaton stated, “ Some of our most amazing teachers we have found right in our own backyard. We are pleased to be able to participate with St Mary’s College to offer this opportunity to teachers in Brentwood.”
A general interest meeting on pathways to become a teacher, including learning more about the Residency Grant that BUSD and SMC are applying for and hoping to bring to Brentwood, is taking place on September 19th at 6:00 pm at Isaac Montañez Elementary School (2340 Smith Road, Brentwood, CA). Additional meetings will be held throughout the fall.
If you would like more information about this exciting program, please attend the interest meeting or email BUSD Program Coordinator, Emily Richards at [email protected] or SMC program Coordinator, Cynthia Goin at [email protected].
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