The NYU Steinhardt Teacher Residency recently kicked off its third year. Resident interns begin the master’s program with a course that explores learner identities, teacher privilege, and how to build upon family and community resources. Later this summer, they will settle into their new communities for what is to be a challenging and rewarding year ahead.
We are excited for our largest cohort yet with 76 resident interns in five communities across the country. The Teacher Residency is established in communities because we believe this immersive experience best prepares new educators for the realities of teaching. It’s not a one-size-fits-all program; instead instruction is tailored and made relevant according to the local context of the schools in which residents learn and teach.
Our resident interns are not one-size-fits-all either. They are a unique group, with different experiences and a variety of backgrounds. Here are our favorite facts about the 2018-2019 class:
Residents join the program from various professional experiences:
- Current School District Employees: 27
- Young Professionals: 19
- Career Changers: 18
- Recent College Graduates: 12
Of those already employed by a school district, current roles:
- Director of After-School Programs
- Restorative Justice Coordinator
- District Substitute
- Teacher Aide
- Paraeducator
Career changers come from a range of industries:
- Environmental Science
- Finance
- Higher Education
- Medical Technology
- US Military Marine Corps
This year’s class has the most undergraduate colleges/universities represented: 61
There are graduates from four international universities:
- University of Adelaide, Australia
- The University of Edinburgh, Scotland
- Polytechnique Montréal, Canada
- University of Peshawar, Pakistan
The Teacher Residency helps passionate, hard-working people commit to an impactful career in education. Our resident interns share why they are excited to begin this journey:
- Stephen Aguayo: “I believe education is the most powerful tool for positive social change. I have always dreamed of being a teacher.”
- Abigail Brown: “I am a book nerd, through and through. There is no other career I know of that can offer the same satisfaction when it comes to geeking out over great literature with 30 other individuals on a daily basis.”
- Natalie Massarany: “There is a disconnect between ‘cool’ science and ‘school’ science that I hope to bridge through inspiring students to see that coolness when they are in the classroom.”
- Thomas Rende: “I wanted to pursue a field where I felt like I was actually making a difference.”
- Gina Trotta: “I wanted to be a teacher from the time I entered kindergarten but have been letting people talk me out of it for 30 years. Glad to finally have the opportunity to pursue my dream!”