Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools’ Innovative Teacher Residency Program
In an effort to address the evolving landscape of teacher licensure, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools have launched a state-approved teacher residency program in 2023. This initiative offers an alternative pathway for teacher assistants, substitutes, and career changers to earn their educator’s license. More details about the program can be found here.
Exciting Announcements with the Surprise Patrol
Earlier this year, the teacher residency program staff embarked on a “Surprise Patrol” to deliver acceptance letters to early applicants of the fourth cohort. At Morgan Elementary School, program director Karen Morris, equipped with silver and blue star balloons, documented the moment when Christine Ditmars, a third-grade teacher, received her acceptance news, leading to cheers from her students. Ditmars, who currently teaches with a temporary license, sees this as a vital step to continue her teaching career.
“I’ve been wanting to be a teacher my whole life. Right out of college, everyone told me not to do it, so my path kind of led me to office management,” Ditmars shared. “And I just kept having this, in the back of my head, this moment of like, this just isn’t for me.”
From Diverse Backgrounds to the Classroom
With three children of her own, Ditmars’ passion for teaching reignited when her youngest started kindergarten, leading her to become a teacher assistant. Her story is not unique, as about 63% of program participants have been in similar positions with temporary licenses. The program also welcomes teacher assistants, long-term substitutes, and individuals changing careers, like retired engineers and pastors.
Alternative Licensure Pathways on the Rise
“We know that fewer people are going into education in their undergraduate pathways. Period. Across the nation,” Morris stated. “And then in North Carolina, it’s even worse.” These alternative programs, like the one in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, offer valuable options for those unable to return to school for licensure.
The program includes a year of teaching while completing coursework, along with state-required tests and a comprehensive performance assessment. Participants must compile a detailed portfolio involving filmed lessons and student assessment analysis, typically requiring 75 to 90 hours to complete. Notably, the district achieved a 100% pass rate last year on this assessment, compared to the state average of 85%…