For prospective teachers, the opportunity to gain hands-on classroom experience is both exciting and critical to their development. A Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program provides advanced training and confirms expertise that enables teachers to specialize and, often, realize higher salaries. The one-year combined teacher residency and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) at NYU’s Steinhardt School delivers both: invaluable experience and in-depth insight.
NYU’s Teacher Residency program combines graduate-level instruction and classroom experience, enabling students to apply and reinforce what they learn in their coursework through real-world teaching and mentorship. The approach yields impressive results; the Learning Policy Institute describes teacher residency programs as “highly effective pathways [for] program graduates and their employers” that “attract diverse candidates who stay in teaching.”
This article summarizes what to expect from the NYU Teacher Residency experience and explains how it will prepare you to lead your own classroom.
Learn by Doing With NYU’s Teacher Residency
Earn Your MAT Through Real-World Experience
What the Teacher Residency Looks Like Day to Day
NYU teacher residents spend an entire year placed at a single school site, working with a dedicated teacher mentor. Responsibilities increase gradually over time. In the first phase of the residency, students complete foundational coursework and take on fewer responsibilities in the classroom. Site work is devoted primarily to observing their mentor and building relationships across the school community.
Next, students move into the active practice phase with increased responsibility. During this phase, teacher residents co-teach alongside their mentors and may take responsibility for some activities, such as small group discussions. The residency culminates in a peak teaching phase during which the teacher resident acts as the lead classroom teacher for a portion of the day.
The NYU Teacher Residency’s gradual release of responsibility means that students never have to feel that they are left to “sink or swim.” They also benefit from ample opportunities to seek feedback on their teaching skills from their mentor and reflect on this feedback to learn and grow.
“Learning means reflecting,” says Professor Frank Pignatosi, assistant professor for the MAT and residency director in the NYU Teacher Residency. “Once a young teacher learns to reflect and understand strategies that fell short or lessons that failed, they can dissect what happened and improve for next time.”
The Role of Your Teacher Mentor
The NYU Teacher Residency experience is structured around collaborative and supportive mentorship. Each teacher resident is paired with an experienced teacher who supports them throughout the year. These teacher mentors demonstrate classroom management techniques, show what high-quality teaching looks like, and, importantly, support aspiring teachers with actionable feedback.
This model promotes students’ confidence in their teaching practice while advancing their education. NYU teacher resident Thomas Rende explains: “I was able to build [a] strong rapport with the students because my teacher [mentor] set up activities that allowed for circulating assistance and group work. This empowered me to feel confident in the material and created a level of respect with the students of what my role was in the classroom.”
Connecting the Residency to Your Coursework
The NYU MAT online coursework complements the classroom experience. Assignments, course content, and discussions relate directly to what students do in the classroom, allowing them to apply what they’re learning in real-time.
“In February, it was my turn to build and instruct an entire lesson on photosynthesis. At the same time, in our coursework, we were learning how to create effective lesson plans. The hands-on practice allows you to make sure you know what you’re doing,” explains teacher resident Justin Canfield.
Becoming Part of a School Community
“Relationships are the foundation of all meaningful teaching and learning. Genuine learning happens only when teachers truly know and understand their students, including students’ strengths, assets, backgrounds, and previous knowledge, and then take the time to build upon these to make teaching powerful and connected,” says Diana Turk, director of teacher education at NYU Steinhardt and co-director of the NYU Teacher Residency. The NYU Teacher Residency is built upon this philosophy, enabling (and encouraging) students to embed in their school communities.
Teacher residents are not just visitors to the school where they are working —they actively participate in staff meetings, engage with students and families, and contribute meaningfully to the school’s culture. Fully engaging with their school’s community enhances residents’ teaching and learning experiences as it opens the door to potential job opportunities and long-term professional growth.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Experience
To get the most out of the NYU Teacher Residency, you must adopt a growth mindset. It’s normal to feel challenged from time to time, but the most successful residents embrace the process and stay curious and connected throughout. This means being open to feedback, asking questions, showing initiative, and making time to reflect on what you have learned and how you can improve.
For example, NYU Teacher Residency graduate Alterraun Verner recorded himself teaching, both to seek faculty feedback and for his own reflection. “My advice to new teacher residents is to record as much as you can. I recorded myself almost every single day. I loved looking at it and noticing certain things about the way I taught, or maybe how the kids weren’t paying attention during parts of my lesson. None of that would be possible if I weren’t recording,” he says.
Another critical aspect of a successful residency is showing up with respect. Treat the residency as you would a full-time job. This means being dependable and respectful of school norms, and fully engaging in your role as a member of the school community. This mindset not only sets a strong foundation for growth but also builds trust with mentor teachers and school partners.
Step Into the Classroom With Purpose
The NYU Teacher Residency is designed to prepare students to become confident, effective educators. This real-world experience is what sets NYU students apart and sets them up for success. As Verner puts it, “I don’t know how I could have become a teacher without the Teacher Residency. The support, feedback, and especially the time with students made this a top-of-the-line program.”
Are you ready to take the next step toward a meaningful teaching career? Schedule an application walkthrough to learn more about the NYU Teacher Residency or start your application now.