Research & Evidence

Evaluation of Paid Teacher Residencies: Impacts and Promising Practices

 In this session, we will highlight key research findings from a mixed-methods study on paid teacher residencies in Texas. Results will focus on (1) characteristics of paid residents; (2) impacts during the residency year; (3) outcomes for beginning teachers who completed a paid residency; and (4) the practices of EPPs, districts, and schools that enabled paid resident success.

Session Presenter
Kevin C. Bastian, Education Policy
Initiative at Carolina (EPIC)

Arkansas Ballroom

Residency Foundation

Building a Yearlong Residency: Residency 101 

Teacher residencies have emerged as one of the most effective models for preparing high-quality educators. Research shows that residencies develop teachers who are more likely to remain in the profession and who are better equipped to positively influence student learning outcomes. In this session, we will explore the components of a high-quality residency program and examine how the US PREP coalition is piloting, scaling, and sustaining these impactful models across the country.

Session Materials

Session Presenter

Laura Brulé Bradford, US PREP Transformation Specialist



Amber Wagnon, Residency Coordinator at Stephen F. Austin

Christina Sinclair, Interim Dean at Stephen F. Austin

Manning

Scaling & Sustaining

Designing and Beyond: Sustaining Strategic Staffing with Paid Residencies

This session invites participants to take a closer look at commonly implemented Strategic Staffing models that enable paid residencies—analyzing how they work, where they excel, and where challenges emerge. Participants will also consider the basic financial aspects of each model and explore how sustainable funding strategies can support long-term implementation.

Session Materials

Session Presenter
Yursa Millenbaugh, US PREP Transformation Specialist

Crystal Floyd, US PREP Transformation Specialist

Josephine Juarez, US PREP Transformation Specialist

Zulema Williams, Lead Site Coordinator at  UTRGV School of Education

Jennifer Maldonado, Director of Professional Learning and Teacher Pipelines at Harlingen Consolidated ISD

Hoffman

Leadership

Leading with
Purpose

This session centers on the “why” of high-quality teacher preparation. Participants will hear from leading researchers on the impact of strong preparation programs and examine how data are currently used within their institutions. Through structured reflection and discussion, leaders will identify opportunities to strengthen data practices in service of a clear, shared vision.

Session Materials

Session Presenter

Sarah Beal, US PREP Executive Director

Grand Ballroom

Residency Foundations

Ethics in Action: Navigating Professional Responsibility During the Year-Long Apprenticeship

The year-long apprenticeship places educator candidates in complex, real-world school environments where ethical decision-making matters daily. This session supports the preparation of apprentices and mentors in understanding educator ethics, professional boundaries, and accountability expectations. Participants will engage in scenario-based discussions drawn from common classroom, mentoring, and school situations to strengthen ethical reasoning, clarify roles, and build confidence in responding appropriately when challenges arise.

Session Presenter
Matthew Sutherlin and Brandie Benton, Arkansas Department of Education: Educator Effectiveness and Licensure

Riverview

Residency Foundations

Residency Mentor Foundations: Selection, Preparation, and

Practice

Effective residency mentors move beyond strong classroom instruction to intentionally model practice, coach residents in real time, and support reflective growth. In this session, participants will explore the role of a residency mentor teacher, discuss key selection criteria aligned to effective residency mentoring, and examine how mentor selection and preparation support high-quality clinical learning. Learnings from the Clint ISD–UTEP partnership are embedded throughout the session to illustrate how these practices are implemented in context.

Session Presenter

Jordan Ahrend, US PREP Transformation Specialist and Clint ISD

Chicot

Residency Foundations

Building Coherence in Reading Instruction: How Preparation Programs Embed the Science of Reading

Teacher preparation programs play a pivotal role in ensuring future educators can deliver instruction grounded in the science of reading. This session highlights practical ways EPPs can build that readiness by integrating high‑quality instructional materials, lesson routines, and content coaching. Participants will explore strategies that create coherence across coursework and clinical practice and leave with concrete actions to strengthen practice‑based literacy preparation.

Session Presenter
Meredith Cotter,

The New Teacher Project (TNTP)

Grampas

Residency Foundations

Exploring the

Lead Site

Coordinator Role

Participants will engage in discussions about the role of the Lead Site Coordinator, reflecting on how the structure and practices might benefit their university. Southern Arkansas University will describe their practices and the benefits of the role for Site Coordinators, candidates, and district partners.

Session Presenter

Stacy Stanberry,
SAU Assistant Professor, Director of Elementary Education, Rider Residency Lead

Ouchita