Freire Schools Teaching Residency Program
The Freire Schools Teaching Residency program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for aspiring educators to gain hands-on teaching experience while working toward their teaching certification. This program, a partnership with the Relay Graduate School of Education, exemplifies the best of teacher residency programs, seamlessly blending classroom practice, mentorship, and academic coursework to prepare residents for impactful careers in teacher jobs across Pennsylvania.
Program Highlights
- One-Year Apprenticeship: Residents spend their first year as apprentices in a Freire Schools classroom, co-teaching and gradually taking on teaching responsibilities. This structured approach ensures confidence and readiness for full-time teaching.
- Pathway to Certification: Participants complete Relay’s teacher preparation program, building the foundation for securing a PA teaching certification, which qualifies them for advanced roles in the education field.
- Mentorship and Support: Each resident is paired with a Resident Advisor who provides coaching, models effective teaching practices, and supports professional growth.
- Practice-Based Training: Residents participate in weekly, practice-focused sessions to hone essential teaching skills and bridge the gap between theory and real-world application.
Responsibilities
- Collaborate with mentor teachers to deliver high-quality instruction tailored to student needs.
- Lead group activities, intervention blocks, and tutoring sessions.
- Observe, co-teach, and eventually lead classroom instruction to develop mastery over teaching techniques.
- Engage in professional development activities aligned with Relay coursework and Freire’s standards of excellence.
Core Values
Freire Schools believe that “great teachers are made, not born.” This residency reflects that philosophy by investing in educators’ growth and preparing them to close opportunity gaps through dynamic teaching. The program fosters attributes such as equity, innovation, and relationship-building, all of which are foundational to becoming successful educators.
Why Choose Freire Schools?
The Teaching Residency at Freire Schools offers a clearly defined path for aspiring educators seeking to excel in teacher residency programs and secure meaningful teacher jobs. By the end of the program, participants aren’t just prepared to teach confidently; they also hold a PA teaching certification that opens doors across the state. With structured training, focused mentorship, and valuable community engagement, this residency sets teachers up to thrive in classrooms and positively impact the future of education.
Learn more and apply by visiting Freire Schools’ website. Begin your teaching career with a program designed to build educators who inspire and empower students.