Focusing on two partner districts’ needs for TK/K, SPED, and BIPOC educators, NBECSR will design a Teacher Residency Program that increases and diversifies the pool of well-qualified teachers by (1) building the capacity of the districts and SSU to plan a successful Teacher Residency that incorporates pre-service teachers in grades TK-5 and (2) recruiting and retaining high-quality local teacher candidates who reflect the demographics of local students.

The award is for the Create an Integrated Teacher Preparation Program for the PK-3 Early Childhood Education Specialist Instruction Program (ITPP-PK3). This grant will pay for faculty and staff time to prepare all documentation and materials needed for CSU and California Commission on Teacher Credentialing approval of the ITPP-PK3, faculty time for professional development with local teachers, and compensation of personnel from school districts, Santa Rosa Junior College, and the Sonoma County Office of Education for consultation on the design of the program.