Niagara Falls City School District Teacher Residency Program

1. CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT OF THE CITY OF NIAGARA FALLS TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024

2. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS NIAGARA FALLS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Mark Laurrie, Superintendent of Schools Richard Carella, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Maria Massaro, Administrator for Human Resources Alicia Savino, Human Resources Manager NIAGARA UNIVERSITY Dr. Chandra J. Foote, Dean College of Education Tracia McKissic, MA Director of Field Experience

3. TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM Over the next two years, the Niagara Falls City School District is anticipating up to 118 teacher vacancies. To address the nationwide teacher shortage Niagara Falls City School District and Niagara University are partnering to provide those interested in entering the teaching profession with an opportunity to obtain a Masters degree in Education while gaining meaningful classroom experience. Through a grant from the NYS Department of Labor students enrolled in a Masters program at Niagara University will complete a residency in the Niagara Falls City School District while attending school and receiving financial assistance.

4. TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM Some important features of the Residency Program: • Residents will earn a Master’s degree in Education from Niagara University in 3 semesters • Residents will be provided with the opportunity to practice their teaching skills. • Each Resident will be provided 1,000 hours of clinical experience which will align with the annual District calendar. • Semester 1: Early Field Experience • Semester 2: Residency begins • Semester 3: Completion of Residency Program • Work with Niagara Falls City School District Educators as mentors, each of whom have earned a minimum of 90 post graduate hours • Every teacher who completes the Teacher Residency Program will have an employment opportunity waiting for them in the District.

5. REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROGRAM & CONTENT AREAS The program begins the Summer of 2024 (NU semester starts mid-May 2024) • 25 Teacher Residents will be accepted into the program Each resident must be enrolled in a Masters of Education program with concentration in one of the following content areas. Below are the maximum number of Teacher Residents accepted into the program in each content area: • Elementary Education – 3 • Special Education – 5 • Science – 7 World Languages - 3 English Language Arts - 1 Social Studies - 6

6. BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM • Tuition Assistance • Resident candidates qualify for a 25% discount from Niagara University • $12,700 • Living Stipend • $12,500 • Paid bi-weekly • Assistance with Books and Supplies • $4,200

7. TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM • The District will collaborate with Niagara University, Niagara Falls Teachers union and the Teacher Resource Center to enhance the instructional preparation of school embedded residents. • Teacher residents will be matched with mentor teachers that align with the educational focus of the resident. It is anticipated that 10% of the mentor teachers time will be focused on the resident.

8. TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM • At the end of the program, all residents will be eligible to apply for New York State certification in their content area. • The Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction and the Teacher Resource Director will work together to provide relevant professional development for mentors and residents.

9. HOW TO ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM • Teacher Resident candidates will need to apply and be accepted into the program with Niagara University. • Niagara University representatives will advise on qualifications for the program. • Niagara Falls City School District will work with Niagara University on the selection process by content area. • If there are more candidates per content area than are available, the Human Resource office in the Niagara Falls City School District will conduct interviews.

10. NEXT STEPS AFTER ACCEPTANCE Accepted into the Teacher Residency program, what’s next? • Niagara Falls City School District pre-employment requirements must be completed. • Once Teacher Residents have completed all requirements, the District will be holding a separate orientation for both the mentor teachers and new teacher residents.