Program

Giving Teachers the Tools to Make a Difference

Boston Teacher Residency (BTR) recruits talented college graduates, career changers and community members of all ages and gives them the tools to make an immediate impact in the classrooms of the Boston Public Schools (BPS). Combining a yearlong classroom apprenticeship with targeted master’s-level coursework, the program offers much more than just an affordable route into teaching. BTR provides every Resident with the practical learning, hands-on experience and ongoing support essential to any successful career in teaching. Download the program flyer.

The Residency Year

After an intensive two-month summer institute, Residents spend the entire academic year in a BPS classroom. They work under the close guidance of an experienced mentor teacher four days a week, devoting one evening and all day Friday to rigorous coursework and seminars. This combination helps Residents link classroom experience to the latest in education theory and research, all within the context of the local education environment and the district-specific goals of the BPS.

The program’s unique blend of theory and practice, combined with an emphasis on collaborative learning and peer support, gives Residents a field-tested foundation for success in the urban classroom. By the time BTR graduates become teachers of record in a BPS classroom, they already have a year of experience in their schools, an understanding of the challenges that lie ahead and an ever-expanding support network of fellow educators.  Learn more about the residency year.

Ongoing Support

For the duration of their three-year commitment and beyond, BTR graduates receive comprehensive support designed to reinforce and expand upon their learning from the residency year. Graduates benefit from targeted courses and seminars, expert induction coaching, placement in collaborative clusters within schools, and an active BTR alumni community.

Induction coaches provide tailored support to help BTR graduates accelerate their transition from novice to skilled teacher, building upon the inquiry model of teaching and learning central to BTR’s residency training.  Graduates also learn to work closely with their colleagues and school leaders to develop a data-based, collaborative culture within their schools – furthering whole-school improvement goals and leading to a more powerful professional community for teachers, improved instruction in the classroom, and ultimately higher achievement for students.  Learn more about ongoing support.

An Affordable Route into Teaching

To help with living expenses during their yearlong preparation, BTR provides a $12,100 stipend and eligibility for health care benefits.  Residents can also apply for financial aid through UMass Boston to supplement their stipend income. For those eligible, an AmeriCorps Education Award can be used to cover in full the cost of the master’s degree.  In addition, by honoring the three-year teaching commitment, graduates participate in a unique tuition remission agreement.

At the end of the year, graduates earn a Massachusetts Initial Teacher License, a master’s degree in education from UMass Boston and credit toward a dual license in special education (which they complete the following year). More importantly, their continued commitment to the Boston Public Schools earns them back the full cost of tuition — for each year they teach in a BPS classroom, the program forgives one-third of their initial $10,000 loan.  Learn more about affordability.