Preparing for Your Residency
Learn about teaching firsthand
Your yearlong residency experience begins in July with our Summer Licensure Orientation, which is taught over three days on Western’s campus. You’re then matched with a mentor teacher in a K-12 school for one full year. In-state and out-of-state school placements are available.
While completing your residency, you’ll have a network of support and you’ll receive continuous feedback from your mentor teacher, regional coordinator and Western instructors.
Your commitment
You’ll work 24 hours per week in the mentor teacher’s classroom and in the spring, you’ll increase to full-time teaching for a minimum of five weeks. You’ll follow the calendar of your placement school (i.e., beginning the year on the day that new teachers report to work, take school holidays, etc.).
Assessment
To be recommended for teacher licensure, you must perform at a “3, Proficiency” level in all relevant standards and standard elements in the classroom and earn a score of “3, Proficiency” on each summative assignment in all courses required for licensure. You must demonstrate the ability to apply the standards and standard elements in the classroom setting, assess student learning and evaluate your own teaching performance.
Mentor teachers
Master mentor teachers are selected carefully to ensure that Western students have strong models. The potential mentor teacher will self-assess their knowledge of the standards and standard elements. Students accepting residency placements are expected to successfully complete the year-long residency. Students who do not successfully complete the residency will be withdrawn from the program and must appeal to the Selection and Retention Committee for re-admittance.
Mentor requirements
- Must hold a valid teaching license in whichever area the candidate seeks licensure.
- Must have taught for three or more years.
- Must have taught for two or more years, in the present district.
- Must teach in an accredited school.
- Must be recommended by their principal.
Residency Requirements
| UNDERGRADUATE RESIDENCY PROGRAMS | GRADUATE RESIDENCY PROGRAMS | |
| RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS | BA in Education
BS/BS with Teacher Licensure 3+2 Students |
M.A. in Education + Teacher Licensure
M.A. in Special Education + SPED Licensure |
| Residency Meetings | Attend both mandatory Residency meetings in fall and spring of your Junior year. | No Residency meeting required |
| Application for Residency | Apply by February 15 of your Junior year
· Complete the residency application · Send professional resume and transcripts signed by primary advisor to education@western.edu |
Indicate school preferences for your residency in your application for the MA. In Education program. Western’s Residency Coordinator will contact you after your acceptance to confirm your residency placement. |
| Course Prerequisites | Pass EDUC 340: Application of Pedagogy and Practice in your Junior year
Students must complete all required coursework within the academic major/minor/emphasis before enrolling in Residency coursework begins (EDUC 4xx courses). |
No course perquisites. |
| GPA Minimum | A cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above is required before enrollment in EDUC 340 and Residency courses | A cumulative GPA of 3.0 for your Bachelor’s degree is required. |
| Academic Requirements | Secondary and K-12 Licensure Students must fulfill one of these academic requirements in their Junior year:
· Pass Praxis Core Educators exams 5722 Writing/5732 Math ~ Or ~ · Earn B- or better in all Gen. Ed. ENG & COM and/or MATH courses |
A completed Bachelor’s degree is required for admission. |
| Praxis Content Area Exam | Take Praxis exam for your licensure area by January 31 of Junior year.
· Elementary Ed. students must take the Praxis Content Area Assessment #5901. · Secondary and K-12 Licensure students may instead demonstrate their content knowledge by earning 3.0 cumulative GPA in their major block coursework. |
· Elementary and Special Education licensure students must take the Elementary Praxis Exam #5901 prior to full admission.
· Secondary and K-12 licensure students may demonstrate their content knowledge either by passing the appropriate Praxis Exam, by having a confirmed degree in their content area, or by documenting 24 semester hours of coursework in the content area, as outline by Colorado Department of Education. |
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