Round Rock ISD proudly hosted the inaugural RROCK Resident Teacher Signing Day.
This event marked the induction of seven teacher residents who successfully navigated a rigorous application process. Their university panels selected them from Texas State University and Concordia University to participate in an alternative student teaching experience.
The teacher residents were matched with their host teachers and signed a letter of intent to learn and work alongside them for the 2024–2025 school year. After completing the residency and meeting their state requirements, these educators will earn a year of teaching service as contracted teachers at C.D. Fulkes Middle School.
Teacher resident Abby Walker is excited to learn and grow in the program.
“The residency program was intriguing because it offers a full year, unlike the traditional model, which is only a semester long. I’m really excited about meeting the students at the beginning of the year and how to implement classroom management and grow alongside the students all year,” said Walker.
The teacher residents in the 2024–2025 cohort are the first to take part in this paid teacher residency program. Previously, aspiring educators followed the traditional path of becoming teachers, often working unpaid hours as student teachers. However, Round Rock ISD has made significant strides in relieving the financial burden of acquiring the necessary skills and fulfilling the hour requirements to become a teacher, promoting socioeconomic equity among aspiring educators.
In addition to a competitive salary, these teacher residents will receive a sign-on bonus, full benefits, a year of teacher service, and access to educator housing discounts offered to all Round Rock ISD employees.
Chief of Human Resources, Eddie Curran, spoke to the cohort, stating, “Today is your first step on a journey as a teacher resident. You’ve chosen a school district that values the power of education and its power to change the world. We’re all excited for the journey you all embark on.”
This program is critical to an innovative initiative dedicated to teacher development and retention within Round Rock ISD. Research demonstrates that teacher residents are 70% more likely to be retained and consistently deliver superior student outcomes within their initial year of teaching. We can’t wait to follow these teacher residents as they begin their first year in the classroom.
