ABOUT

UNC Charlotte Teacher Quality Partnership participants will have the opportunity to 1) gain initial licensure in elementary education, and 2) complete a master’s (advanced license) degree in less than 18 months. Upon completion of the initial licensure residency program (Phase I), candidates then complete additional online coursework (Phase II) to complete the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.). In additional to a customized curriculum and ongoing professional development, participants will complete a professional credential in equity-based trauma-invested care.

To maximize convenience and affordability, while still adhering to a practice-based approach to teacher preparation, the program offers a 100% online approach that includes a combination of online instruction with meaningful clinical experiences in K-12 classrooms.

PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS

Financial Support

Students admitted to the UNC Charlotte Teacher Quality Partnership program receive a living wage stipend in the amount of $45,000 to cover the full cost of tuition, supplies, and additional expenses. The program is open to aspiring elementary school teachers. Eligible candidates who receive the stipend must commit to teaching at a high-need school in Union County Public Schools (UCPS) or Gaston County Schools (GCS) for a minimum of three years.

Meaningful Clinical Experiences

Meaningful clinical partnerships are the foundation of UNC Charlotte teacher preperation programs. Faculty collaborated to develop a progression of meaningful clinical experiences that are connected to coursework. These clinical experiences are differentiated for traditional teacher candidates and residency teachers and provide opportunities for candidates to practice the skills learned in coursework and receive feedback from their mentor teacher.

Capable Mentor Teachers

Mentoring and coaching are critical components of the UNC Charlotte Teacher Residency Program. Candidates will receive mentoring support from their assigned K-6 mentoring teacher, along with the support from the University Supervisor. To ensure high quality mentoring, we will use rigorous criteria to select UCPS and GCS mentors. These mentors will demonstrate expertise in elementary school teaching, have a minimum of three years of teaching experience, be recommended by their principal, collaborate with colleagues to improve instruction, and demonstrate evidence of teaching effectiveness.

Student Community

The UNC Charlotte Teacher Quality Partnership is cohort-based. Each summer (Semester 1), cohorts of 12 teacher candidates start the program. We will hold an annual orientation to familiarize all candidates with program requirements and expectations and help foster a sense of community among candidates. As candidates progress to coursework in reading and mathematics in Semester 2 (Fall), they will work with colleagues who share this expertise and develop their own networks of support. Students are also provided release time to use substitute teachers, allowing opportunities to co-plan, co-teach, and participate in team meetings and professional development activities.

Ongoing Support for New Teachers

The UNC Charlotte Teacher Quality Partnership offers continued mentoring and coaching support to teacher candidates through an established and highly effective induction program. Upon completion of Phase I of the residency program, all graduates will receive two years of support from a trained coach through the North Carolina New Teacher Support Program (NTSP), a statewide program designed to reduce attrition.

Strong Partnerships Between the University and School Districts

The UNC Charlotte Teacher Quality Partnership was developed in collaboration with UCPS and GCS, which it has longstanding and mutually-beneficial partnerships with.

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