SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (December 15, 2023) – Scottsdale Unified School District and Northern Arizona University (NAU) have joined forces with a groundbreaking initiative, the Arizona Teacher Residency Program. This dynamic partnership between SUSD and NAU marks a significant milestone in shaping the future of Arizona public education by providing aspiring educators with a comprehensive, two-year expedition toward teacher accreditation.

The Teacher Residency Program offers aspiring educators a comprehensive training experience. Upon successful program completion, participants earn a master's degree from NAU and commit to teaching in their partnering district for an additional two years, all without incurring any student debt.

SUSD’s first Teacher Residency cohort began its journey in July, working closely with experienced classroom teacher supervisors. This innovative program initially operates at two schools, Navajo Elementary and Tavan Elementary. In addition to gaining hands-on classroom experience, the residents attend NAU classes twice a week. During these sessions, the prospective teachers acquire valuable teaching strategies and models to implement in their classrooms, ensuring they are well-prepared to inspire and educate the next generation of students.

What sets this year's cohort of Teacher Residents apart is its familiarity with SUSD: many of them previously served as paraeducators, administrative staff and substitute teachers in the district, making their transition into educators a natural progression.

"It's such a big difference to have a resident teacher versus a student teacher,” said Claudia Vickers, a supervising teacher at Tavan. “The residents bring in experiences that student teachers don't have. They have seen more, so they learn quicker. It's been amazing to see."

"I'm really impressed by the program,” said Lisa Kasanicky, a Teacher Resident at Navajo Elementary. “Everyone is working together to create an amazing program."

As the current Teacher Residents prepare to take on their own classrooms two years in the future, the program's vision extends beyond this inaugural group. The aim is to sustain this transformative initiative and welcome a fresh cohort of Teacher Residents to SUSD in the 2024-2025 school year.

SUSD and NAU are committed to fostering an environment in which aspiring educators can thrive by providing them with the tools and support they need to become exceptional teachers. Together, they are transforming the future of education and investing in the success of both their students and their community. NAU also conducts Teacher Residency programs in three other Arizona school districts, but SUSD is the only K-12 district involved to date.

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About the Scottsdale Unified School District With more than 21,000 students in 30 schools, the Scottsdale Unified School District (SUSD) has been a premier choice for pre-kindergarten through grade 12 public education for 127 years. Located northeast of metropolitan Phoenix, the District serves the educational needs of students and families in Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Tempe and Scottsdale. A highly experienced, professionally certified teaching staff fosters a diverse and rigorous educational environment that engages all students in world-class, future-focused learning. Offering gifted learning, special education, career and technical education, and a variety of athletics, arts and enrichment programs and clubs, SUSD provides the rich environment today’s students need to explore their interests, develop important social skills and grow into tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, visit www.susd.org and follow along on social media: Facebook: @ScottsdaleUSD, Twitter: @ScottsdaleUSD, Instagram: @ScottsdaleUnifiedSD, LinkedIn and YouTube.