Overview
The Resident Teacher Program in Special Education (RTPSE) at the University of Mary seeks to attract and keep teachers in North Dakota schools that may have difficulty recruiting and retaining teachers, especially in areas of high need. RTPSE’s goal is to provide licensed teachers with support in entering the special education profession.
Resident teacher candidates are North Dakota licensed teachers, who complete an internship, of at least one year, but usually two, at a site serving students with special needs, under the joint supervision of experienced special educators and a University of Mary faculty member.
The Resident Teacher Program is a partnership between the University of Mary, North Dakota public schools and North Dakota special education units.
The target population of teacher candidates includes teachers licensed in early childhood, elementary and middle level and or secondary education, who may or may not have had prior teaching experience. Resident Teacher course work is at graduate level.
The resident teacher (RT) earns a master's degree in education or a credential in special education primarily through on-campus weekend sessions or intensive delivery over one- or three-week periods in the summer and through on-the-job experience in a setting serving students with special needs. The RTPSE is a two-year program in which the resident teacher participates in a school based internship during both academic years. Each resident teacher assumes full responsibility for a special education caseload and must be licensed to teach in North Dakota. The RT earns a stipend from the special education unit and a waiver of University of Mary tuition for the special education coursework in the master’s degree. Candidates completing the RTPSE will be prepared to teach children with mild to moderate disabilities in primarily inclusive settings.
Resident mentors (special education teachers) from the school district/special education unit provide support for the resident teacher and work with the university supervisor. The mentor offers the resident teacher consultation, feedback and support. Resident mentors receive training prior to the start of the academic year. Resident mentors are chosen collaboratively by the school district, special education director and university.
In order to participate in the Resident Teacher Program, a school district forms a team consisting of the principal, special education mentors, and special education director and/or coordinator who commit to the following:
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Provide a mentor teacher in each of the disability categories (i.e. LD, ED, MR).
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Balance the resident teacher’s caseload and time between students in each of the three disability areas.
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Provide regular scheduled meeting times for the resident teacher and resident mentors to meet.
The University of Mary provides:
- An orientation
- Ongoing consultation
- On-site visits
Applicants apply for both the graduate status at the University of Mary and for resident teacher candidacy. To apply, contact:
kluttech@umary.edu
Click for details regarding responsibilities of the members of the Resident Teacher Team (resident teacher, resident mentor, University of Mary mentor, University of Mary program director, building principals, special education directors, and superintendents).
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