Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Overview

What is San Francisco Teacher Residency?: The San Francisco Teacher Residency Program (SFTR) is a partnership between AmeriCorps, the San Francisco Education Fund, the University of San Francisco, Stanford University, the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), and United Educators of San Francisco that recruits and educates teachers for SFUSD’s hard-to-staff schools and subjects. Combining a yearlong classroom apprenticeship with a master teacher, targeted master’s level coursework, and focus on the San Francisco context, SFTR provides Residents with the practical learning, hands-on experience, and ongoing support essential for successful careers in teaching.
What is a Teacher Residency?: Based on the Medical Residency model where Residents serve under an assisting physician and gain the training required to practice medicine, SFTR Residents work under the supervision of a demonstration teacher while training to become teachers of record for the San Francisco Unified School District.
What would my day look like as a Resident?: Residents spend five hours a day, five days a week at one of our Teaching Academies learning under the supervision of an expert teacher. Residents take late afternoon and evening classes at their respective universities to work towards their credential and Master’s degree. The cohort meets once a week for SFTR’s practicum seminar, which emphasizes the San Francisco context and focuses on the needs and issues of students in the San Francisco Unified School District.
Who is eligible to apply for SFTR?: San Francisco Teacher Residency is recruiting talented college graduates, career changers, and community members of all ages seeking a secondary math or science, bilingual Spanish, or elementary education credential.
How many people will be accepted into the residency program?: For the 2012 – 2013 school year we will be accepting 30 residents. Only 6 spaces will be available for general multiple subjects credentials. The other spaces are available in math, science, or bilingual Spanish.
Why are there so few elementary slots?: SFTR is designed to fill the hardest to staff subjects as identified by the district (SFUSD). Since the greatest needs in the district are in math, science and bilingual education, the majority of our slots are in those areas.
What is my commitment if I am admitted and accept a position with SFTR?: During the program year, residents work with a teacher of record five hours a day five days a week in a San Francisco Unified School District classroom. Additionally, Residents are required to take part of the year-long practicum seminar. After the residency year, Residents commit to serving for a minimum of three years in a hard to staff subject with the San Francisco Unified School District.
How can SFTR guarantee Residents a full time teaching position?: SFTR has a memorandum of understanding with the San Francisco Unified School District to hire our graduates because we are specifically preparing teachers for hard-to-staff subjects.

Applying

What are the minimum qualifications for SFTR?: Find eligibility criteria here.
What is the application process?: To be eligible for SFTR, prospective candidates must apply to the Stanford Teacher Education Program (STEP) or the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and Credential program at USF’s School of Education. A supplemental application for SFTR is also required.
For applicants interested in the MAT and Teaching Credential program at USF, the supplemental SFTR application should be submitted jointly with USF’s admission materials no later than March 1, 2012.
For applicants interested in the Sanford Teacher Education Program, Stanford’s admission application should be submitted by January 5, 2012. The supplemental SFTR application should only be submitted after admission has been granted to STEP.
Spanish bilingual candidates will require a Spanish language interview before a final decision is rendered for SFTR.
Where can I find the supplemental SFTR application?: You can find it here.
Can I apply to both USF and Stanford?: Yes, absolutely. There are no penalties for applying to both institutions.
Can I apply if I already have a teaching credential? What if my credential is from another state?: No, SFTR is credential program. As such, applicants with an existing teaching credential from any state will not be considered.
What if I hold an “Emergency Credential?” Can I apply then?: Yes, candidates with an emergency credential who want to participate in the coursework and fieldwork for their preliminary credential are encouraged to apply.

Finance

What makes SFTR an affordable route to teaching?: Upon admission to the program, Residents are eligible an AmeriCorps living stipend in addition to financial aid from the University of San Francisco or Stanford. Residents at the University of San Francisco are guaranteed reduced tuition while Residents at Stanford are eligible for loan forgiveness. Upon successful completion of the program, Residents are also eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award, which can be applied to the cost of the Master’s program.
How much is the stipend?: Residents will receive a stipend of $12,100 for the 2012-2013 program year.
What type of financial assistance is available to Residents?: In addition to the $12,100 AmeriCorps stipend, Residents are eligible for loan deferment and student loans as full-time graduate students at the University of San Francisco or Stanford. To begin the process, SFTR candidates should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1, 2012.
Does SFTR offer health insurance?: Yes, as AmeriCorps members, Residents are guaranteed health insurance during their residency year.