More than 150 Teachers Join Chicago Public Schools After Completing Rigorous Teacher Residency Program

CHICAGO – Mayor Brandon Johnson, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez, and Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates Monday honored 156 new resident teachers who will join classrooms next fall through an innovative CPS program that helps current employees or career changers obtain the credentials and training to become CPS teachers. 

“Congratulations to our newest resident teachers and welcome to the amazing community of educators we have here in the city of Chicago,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Building a stronger and more equitable city starts in our schools, and programs like this are an important part of that work. I’m proud to recognize this diverse group of new teachers today and look forward to seeing their positive impact on our students, schools, and communities.”

The CPS Teacher Residency, launched in 2017, is a full-time, paid, teacher training program that offers a bridge to teaching — both for career changers who wish to pursue a new career in education as well as paraprofessionals who work in classroom support roles and want to become full-time teachers leading a classroom. 

The 2022-23 cohort of 156 resident teachers who completed the Teacher Residency program represent the largest cohort since the program’s launch in 2017. This year, 74 percent of the residents are Black or Latinx. This cohort is also focused on filling high-need positions, with 80 percent of this year’s residents eligible to teach special education, 72 percent eligible to teach early childhood education and 53 percent eligible to teach bilingual education. The District anticipates the Teacher Residency program will grow to more than 200 candidates next year. 

“I am so pleased to welcome this diverse cohort of new resident teachers to our schools,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “When our students see teachers and school leaders that look like them and are part of their community, it makes a difference for those students socially, emotionally, mentally and academically. My sincerest appreciation to our newest resident teachers on their dedication and commitment to our students and our schools.”

Speakers at tonight’s ceremony at the Chicago Cultural Center also included Richard J. Daley Elementary Academy Principal Kamilah Hampton and Giovanny Navarro Aguilar, who recently completed his residency at Wentworth Elementary School in Englewood and accepted a position at Finkle Elementary School in the Pilsen neighborhood, where he will be a special education teacher.

“Programs like CPS Teacher Residency increase access and equity for members of our community,” said Principal Hampton. “Having a teacher resident in my building that I can hire after their residency helped me not only fill high need positions, but also ensured I had the best candidate to support our students and school community.”

How the Residency Program Works

• Residents begin the higher education coursework in the summer before their first year in the classroom.

• The residents are paired in the classroom with mentor teachers during their first year, for hands-on experience and training. As CPS (Talent Office) employees, they earn salaries and health benefits during this residency.

• After demonstrating effectiveness during their training, residents receive support in finding a full-time position for their second year, during which they lead their own classrooms, at a significant increase in pay.

• Following program completion and a commitment to work at CPS for at least two additional years, residents are hired as full-time CPS teachers and receive another pay increase.

A Growing Network of Diverse, Talented Teachers

Chicago Public Schools renewed its commitment to recruiting and retaining excellent educators in the Three-Year Blueprint, which are supported by CPS’ Teach Chicago program, a comprehensive initiative to recruit, support and retain highly-qualified, diverse teachers specifically for high-need subject areas (such as special education and bilingual teaching) and hard-to-staff schools, promoting equity across the district. The CPS Teacher Residency is an example of one Teach Chicago program helping to move the needle on staffing challenges.

The CPS Teacher Residency has grown steadily since 2017, when it began with a pilot cohort of 12 teachers-in-training and grew to 156 teachers this year. The growth is expected to continue as the District continues its focus on recruitment of educators in high-needs subject areas. The program currently allows participants to focus on several subject areas, including early childhood education, special education, bilingual education, and dance, and for the first time this year – theater. 

Key supporters of the CPS Teacher Residency are the Joyce Foundation, the Crown Family Philanthropies, and the National Center for Teacher Residencies. Teach Chicago is also supported by the Crown Family Philanthropies and the Joyce Foundation, with additional support provided by the U.S. Department of Education. 

To learn more about the Teacher Residency program, visit the Teach Chicago website. 

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