SUCCESSFUL AND DIVERSE TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM EXPANDS ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
This is the first year that the PUC Teacher Residency Program is open to non-alumni, to provide more aspiring teachers with a pathway to the classroom
LOS ANGELES, CA - Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC), a network of 14 public charter schools in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, is expanding its successful year-long co-teaching residency to provide a proven pathway to the classroom for prospective educators that will help address California’s persistent teacher shortage as well as the workforce’s gaping diversity gap. The 11-year-old program— one of California’s first grow-your-own teacher initiatives—is now called the PUC Teacher Residency Program (PUC TRP) and will be open to non-PUC alumni. That means anyone with a bachelor’s degree and an interest in education is welcome to apply to the program.
“While we’re so proud of what we’ve accomplished for the PUC community, expanding our proven model is the right next step for students in this state,” said PUC TRP Coordinator Jenna Kamp. “California students deserve a more diverse teacher workforce, and people of color deserve greater opportunities to become teachers and uplift their communities. We’re honored to help contribute.”
The PUC TRP is unique in both its affordability and customized support. Teachers receive their credentials and masters at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), which works in partnership with PUC to provide financial support to program participants. The program includes a one-on-one residency with mentor teachers in PUC classrooms as well as constant coaching and support. Teachers receive monetary rewards for staying at PUC for five years after graduating from the program.
“I’ve always been interested in becoming a teacher, but struggled to find a residency program that combined strong training with a commitment to strengthening communities,” said Kassandra Pena, current PUC TRP resident. “The PUC TRP is a perfect blend of theory and practice. I can’t wait to take what I’m learning into my own classroom and help my students soar.”
Since the program’s launch in the 2013-14 school year, 51 teachers have completed their residency through the PUC TRP, and 65% are still teaching at PUC today. Today 13 of 14 PUC schools have at least one teacher who was trained through the program. PUC has even produced teachers through the program who are teaching classes they once attended as students.
“We founded PUC to uplift the communities we serve, and expanding the PUC TRP allows us to accelerate that work,” said PUC Schools co-founder and PUC National CEO Dr. Jacqueline Elliot. “Great teachers build great communities, and we’re thrilled to take what we’ve learned over the past 11 years to provide more opportunities for both students and aspiring educators.”
Though research clearly shows the benefits of teachers of color for all students, only 39% of California teachers are Asian American, Black, Latino, and/or Native American, compared to 77% of California students. By comparison, 100% of teachers trained through PUC identify as people of color.
Studies have found that all students benefit from having teachers of color, in the form of greater engagement, higher achievement, and cross-cultural interactions that can work against harmful stereotypes. For students of color, the benefits are even more significant. Students with the same race as their teacher are more likely to complete high school and go to college, less likely to be suspended, and more likely to be referred to gifted and talented programs. Yet nationwide, 40% of public schools don’t have a single teacher of color.
Approximately 90% of PUC’s graduates have been accepted to colleges every single year and all of PUC’s high schools have been named as top programs by U.S. News & World Report.
Prospective applicants can learn more and apply on the PUC TRP webpage: www.pucschools.org/trp.
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About PUC Schools
PUC Schools is a high-performing network of 14 public charter schools that provide a college preparatory educational program in two densely populated urban communities with low-achieving schools—northeast Los Angeles and northeast San Fernando Valley. PUC creates school programs that emphasize academics, arts and athletics in a culture that prepares students to succeed in college with a commitment to serve their communities. The first school founded in 1999, PUC’s mission is to prepare students to attend and succeed in college through a rigorous academic program while uplifting and revitalizing communities through its work. PUC’s vision is to facilitate school reform in high-need regions and currently operates high-quality schools that are located in the communities of Lincoln Heights, Cypress Park, Eagle Rock, Sylmar, Lakeview Terrace, Pacoima and San Fernando. Please visit www.pucschools.org.