TEACH/Here is an innovative teacher residency program aimed at improving the learning and life outcomes of students by recruiting, preparing, and supporting exceptional, effective teachers to serve in high needs positions. With a focus on science and mathematics, the program operates in Chattanooga and Knoxville, TN school districts.

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What's It About?

Program Overview

TEACH/Here is a new program that gets smart, motivated new teachers into Knoxville and Chattanooga classrooms where they’re needed most. Through teacher residencies, school districts and their partners recruit, prepare, and support highly effective teachers in high needs areas. This year, we’re looking for teacher residency candidates in science and math.


Teacher residencies are part of a national research-based movement that’s growing fast. The TEACH/Here residency program operates in Chattanooga and Knoxville school districts, in partnership with the University of Tennessee Knoxville and the Public Education Foundation in Chattanooga.

Mission & Goals

The mission of TEACH/Here is to improve the learning and life outcomes of students by recruiting, preparing and supporting exceptional, effective teachers to serve in high needs positions of the Hamilton and Knox County, TN, school districts. Our mission is to improve learning and lives of students by making sure they have great teachers. It’s that simple, but it depends on people like you.


Here's how we do it:
  • Recruit very smart, highly motivated and diverse recent college graduates, young professionals, and mid-career changers then select those who have the attitude, background, and potential to help tackle our districts' needs in math and science
  • Identify our existing math and science teachers who've shown they know how to help students learn and engage them as mentor teachers for our residents.
  • Place our residents in schools led by skilled principals where there is a commitment to teacher and student learning and where classrooms are vibrant and inviting.
  • Develop and offer a curriculum of master's level courses and reflective seminars
  • Place teachers who complete the residency program in schools where they're needed most and give them support that helps them launch their careers as great teachers.
  • Make sure people and businesses throughout the community are excited about this program and eager to show their support

Vision

Soon, every student will come to school each day with the expectation that s/he will be thrilled, challenged, prodded, and deeply engaged in meaningful work - and confident that s/he will graduate from high school ready for success in college, in a career, and as a contributing citizen.  Every student will be able to credit the teachers who guilder him or her along this path.  Because, for high level learning to happen, good teaching is the key ingredient.

Core Beliefs


  1. The purpose of schools is high level student learning. Exceptional levels of learning are possible for any student, and must be expected for every single student, no matter what his or her family, community, economic, language or other circumstances.
  2. To help students learn to high levels, we must eliminate barriers. Currently one of the biggest barriers is the shortage of skilled, passionate, effective teachers in every subject, every classroom, every day. We must assure high quality teachers for all students, in all schools.
  3. Great teachers have more than a paper degree. Teaching is a mix of skill, knowledge, disposition, passion and determination. Good teachers don’t make excuses. They make a difference.
  4. Ongoing learning and sharing is vital to great teaching. One-on-one or in small groups, the best teachers learn by observing, trying, reflecting, talking, and then starting the cycle again.
  5. Teachers learn best where teaching and learning are prized. Great schools are guided by great principals, who aim to coach every teacher, challenge every student and partner with every family.
  6. What we teach must be relevant and useful in today’s world, if students are to be successful in life. In particular, courses in math, science, and foreign languages must be particularly rigorous and stimulating. Rather than simply teaching facts, we must cultivate problem-solving, creative initiative and student curiosity.

If you also believe these statements to be essential to successful schools, then teaching may just be the perfect career for you. And a TEACH/Here residency is the perfect way to get a head start.

Who Should Apply?

TEACH/Here is looking for applicants with a degree in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, and math).

Though not an application requirement,candidates are strongly encouraged to complete the appropriate Praxis II content exam before attending Selection Day.  Scores should be submitted to TEACH/Here along with transcripts.  Please contact us to determine which exam you should take.

Minimum Requirements for Applicants

  • Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
  • US citizen or permanent resident status
  • Commitment to teach for at least five years
    (four years beyond the one year of residency)
 

Attributes Desired in Applicants

  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • High level of maturity and personal responsibility
  • Skills in collaboration, experience working and leading in complex environments
  • Self- reflective, willing to examine and adjust personal beliefs and assumptions about teaching and learning
  • Resilient, perseverant, resourceful, flexible, compassionate
  • Knowledge and experiences using math and science in relevant, real life contexts
  • From diverse backgrounds and/or lived experiences

Convictions Sought in Applicants

  • Commitment to teach in a priority public school and engage with families in high need communities for at least five years (four years beyond the one year of residency)
  • Commitment to hold high expectations and address the learning needs of ALL students
  • Commitment to public education as a way to achieve the goal of equity and social justice for all children
  • Commitment to becoming an effective and resourceful teacher
  • Commitment to public service and community involvement

Apply To Become A TEACH/Here Resident

The application window for the 2012-2013 school year is now closed.


About Chattanooga

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is located in Southeast Tennessee near the border of Georgia at the junction of four interstate highways. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its beautiful downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront. The city is notable for leveraging development funds through effective public/private partnerships with significant civic involvement on the part of private foundations. Chattanooga was one of the first US cities to effectively use a citizen visioning process to set specific long-range goals to enrich the lives of residents and visitors.

Area Attractions

Attractions such as the Tennessee Aquarium, Lookout Mountain, Civil War battlefield sites, the African American Museum, the Creative Discovery Museum for children, and the Appalachian Trail bring thousands of people to the area, as do events like the Riverbend Festival and the Southern Writers Conference.

Chattanooga Links

City Guide

Attractions

Media

About Knoxville

Knoxville

Knoxville is the oldest and the third-largest city in the state of Tennessee. Nestled at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains along the Tennessee River, it is within a day's drive of many major metropolitan areas. Knoxville boasts a vibrant history that has been captured in the works of nationally renowned poets, writers, and artists. Knoxville is also the home of the University of Tennessee's flagship campus. The university's sports teams, called the Volunteers or Vols, are extremely popular in the surrounding area.

Area Attractions

Attractions such as the Knoxville Museum of Art and festivals such as the Dogwood Arts Festival, Sundown in the City and the Rossini Festival bring visitors to the area throughout the entire year.  Several greenways, state parks and nearby Dollywood and other attractions in the mountains of East Tennessee provide several ways to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Knoxville Links

City Guide

Attractions

Media

FAQ

General FAQ

  • What is "teacher residency"?
    Teacher residency is an exciting new concept in teacher recruitment, preparation, and support. It is a method of recruiting teachers for hard-to-fill positions and giving them a strong year of “on-the-job” training, similar to a medical residency, so that they can hit the ground running when they become responsible for their own classrooms. It works to prepare a new kind of teacher from inside the classroom.
  • Why will a teacher residency program be successful at finding strong math and science teachers?
    We’re looking for individuals who love math and science. Given those interests, such individuals typically pursue math and science in college rather than a teaching degree. But it’s often the case that they decide they’d like to share this love of math and science with children. Currently, they can do that through an alternative teaching certificate, but this route essentially throws them into sudden, full responsibility for a classroom with very little preparation – and they have to go to school at night to gain certification at the same time that they are wrestling the challenges of classroom planning, grading papers, and learning how to teach! The difficulties of this approach are a deterrent to many people. Teacher residencies offer a much stronger method of giving a teacher the training, experience and support needed to take effective responsibility for a classroom.
  • What is the role of PEF?
    The Public Education Foundation serves as the coordinating nonprofit group and as the fiscal agent for other private funding sources. The Teach/Here director and the recruiter will reside at PEF.
  • What is UTRU?
    Urban Teacher Residency United (UTRU) is a national not-for-profit network of urban teacher preparation programs. There are currently 17 teacher residency programs in the network, spanning the country from coast to coast. UTRU serves this ever-growing network by partnering with school districts, institutions of higher education, and not-for-profits to develop and support strong residencies, and by offering relevant and high-quality programming and services, advocacy support, and evaluation. TEACH/Here is a proud member of this wonderful organization.

7-12th Program

  • Who is eligible to participate in the TEACH/Here grades 7 through 12 program?
    Eligible applicants must have an undergraduate degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university received by June of the year of application. Candidates must also have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. All residents must be U.S. Citizens or hold permanent resident status.
  • What is a "STEM" degree?
    STEM fields are the sciences, technology, engineering, and math. Accounting, business administration, anthropology, and economics are not STEM degrees.
  • Do I need to take the GRE or GMAT?
    No, you do not need to take the GRE or the GMAT.
  • What is the role of the University of Tennessee Knoxville?
    The University of Tennessee Knoxville is the higher education partner the TH STEM program. Representatives from UT Knoxville work with the TEACH/Here Steering Committee to design and plan resident coursework. UT faculty members also work with the Tennessee Department of Education to ensure that the program curriculum meets all state requirements for teacher licensure. In order to successfully graduate from the TH STEM program, residents must complete all UT master’s degree requirements. TEACH/Here STEM residents are fulltime students of the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. As such, they are eligible for all of the services offered to UT graduate students. And yes, this includes access to football tickets!
  • Where are TEACH/Here UT courses held?
    Many TEACH/Here UT courses are held at the Sarah Simpson Professional Development and Technology Center in Knoxville. Chattanooga residents most often attend coursework during the school year via video conference, though all residents meet together at least once a month. Summer coursework is conducted in person with all residents assembling in either Knoxville or Chattanooga. Residents may be reimbursed for all required travel between Knoxville and Chattanooga.
  • What happens if I have to leave the program early?
    If a resident leaves the program without completing the residency year and four additional years of teaching in the district, he or she is responsible for repaying the stipends received from the National Science Foundation.
  • What is the National Science Foundation?
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) is a United States government agency that supports research and education in the sciences. NSF’s Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program seeks to encourage talented STEM majors to become K-12 math and science educators.
  • What is AmeriCorps?
    AmeriCorps, a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service, is a federal community service program. More than 85,000 individuals join AmeriCorps each year. TEACH/Here is a proud member of AmeriCorps’ Team Tennessee. For more information on the benefits of AmeriCorps service, please visit http://www.americorps.gov.

Clinical Instructors (mentors)

  • Am I guaranteed a resident each year?
    No, it is not guaranteed that each eligible clinical instructor will be assigned a resident each year. When you apply, you are placed in a pool of possible clinical instructors. Only those clinical instructors who are best matched to the current year’s cohort of residents will be assigned residents.
  • I served as a clinical instructor this year. Do I have to reapply for next year?
    Successful clinical instructors need not reapply each year. However, you must give notice of your desire to continue in the program by January 31st of each school year. Please contact the TEACH/Here Director for more information.
  • How can my principal learn more about TEACH/Here?
    Principals are encouraged to become active participants in the TEACH/Here learning community. In fact, principals are invited to all clinical instructor and resident seminars and workshops. For more information, please contact a TEACH/Here staff member.

Partners & Resources

The Partnership

  • Knox County Department of Education

    The Knox County Schools will be a system where all students achieve at high levels and every school is a school of distinction. Children will begin their education at an early age, and high quality instruction, rigorous curriculum, and high standards will permeate the educational landscape from early education to graduation.

    Visit Website
  • Hamilton County Department of Education

    Our mission at Hamilton County Schools is to educate all students to their highest potential. We believe in success for all students and have turned the corner in student achievement. We continue to focus on helping students succeed, enhancing staff development and increasing community support. In doing so, we are investing in the future of Chattanooga and Hamilton County.

    Visit Website
  • University of Tennessee Knoxville

    The University of Tennessee Knoxville intends to be the preeminent public research and teaching university linking the people of Tennessee to the nation and the world.

    Visit Website
  • Public Education Foundation

    The mission of the Public Education Foundation (PEF) is to improve student achievement in Hamilton County public schools so that all students succeed in learning and in life.

    Visit Website
  • National Science Foundation

    The NSF Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program seeks to encourage talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics majors and professionals to become K-12 mathematics and science teachers.

    Visit Website
  • AmeriCorps State

    The largest of AmeriCorps programs, AmeriCorps State and National provides funds to local and national organizations and agencies committed to using national service to address critical community needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.

    Visit Website
  • First to the Top

    Tennessee has a vision to lead the nation in the development of a skilled workforce educated and trained by world-class teachers, leaders and schools comprising the strongest and most responsive public education system in America.

    Visit Website
  • 100Kin10

    100Kin10 is a multi-sector mobilization that responds to the national imperative to prepare, deploy, and support 100,000 excellent STEM teachers over the coming 10 years. Partners, including but not limited to corporations, school districts, museums, institutes of higher education, foundations, federal agencies, professional associations, states, and nonprofit organizations, apply their particular assets to creatively and strategically address the challenges of increasing the supply of excellent STEM teachers, developing and retaining excellent STEM teachers, and building the 100Kin10 movement.

    Visit Website
  • Urban Teacher Residency United

    By preparing a new kind of teacher inside the classroom – providing the practical learning, the hands-on experience and the support network they need to be effective right away – Urban Teacher Residency United (UTRU) and its local programs are building a real movement for education reform from the ground up.

    Statistics show that 85% of all Residency graduates stay in their schools beyond those crucial first three years, reducing the high teacher turnover rates that cost districts millions and leave students in the dark.

    Visit Website

Contact Us

TEACH/Here

100 East Tenth Street, Suite 500
Chattanooga, TN 37402

423.668.2432
info@teachhere.org

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Why Apply?

Why You Should Apply

TEACH/Here provides:

  • An affordable route into teaching - A low-cost master’s degree with benefits to help pay back the tuition
    - A stipend to cover living expenses during the residency year
    - No program costs IF you teach in the district for 4 years after the residency year
  • An innovative route into teaching - Learn from leaders at leading public schools
    - Study with the best faculty at UT Knoxville
    - Deepen your subject matter knowledge and your teaching expertise
    - Learn and reflect together with your peers
  • A foundation for a successful career - Receive ongoing mentoring support and a stipend through your critical first years
    - Form lasting allegiances as part of an ongoing network
  • A chance to be a part of positive change!

TEACH/Here is the only multi-city teacher residency program in the Southeast endorsed by UTRU.

    Benefits of TEACH/Here

    TEACH/Here is a hybrid of university-based and alternative routes to becoming a teacher. As a result, Teach /Here candidates receive the best of both kinds of program: rigorous content and pedagogy preparation from the state’s premier research university AND a full year of a classroom-based apprenticeship under the tutelage of a trained and highly effective mentor teacher, serving with a cohort of other residents within a specially chosen school.

    As part of TEACH/Here, you will:

    • Earn a Tennessee license for teaching in secondary math or one of the sciences in only one year
    • Earn a master’s degree in Teacher Education from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 13 months
    • Receive a stipend during the residency year plus an additional stipend during the subsequent four years of service in the district
    • Be guaranteed placement by the school district in your area of teaching certification
    • Enter the school district at a higher salary level than traditional new teachers
    • Receive an education award for non-tuition expenses
    • Receive loan forgiveness for the costs of the program by serving in the district for four years
    • Receive health insurance through the residency year