Programs

"What makes a good teacher? It's a person who has a passion for knowledge and the subject that they teach, for the community, and for the kids."

San Francisco public school teacher.

San Francisco Teacher Residency

Are You a Leader?
Want to Make a Difference for San Francisco Children?
Have What It Takes to Be a Teacher?

San Francisco Teacher Residency is recruiting aspiring teachers in critical subject areas. We are looking for future math, science, bilingual, and elementary education teachers dedicated to increasing the numbers of students who graduate from high school ready for college, careers, and civic responsibility.

Preparing Teachers to Have an Impact Today

San Francisco Teacher Residency (SFTR) is recruiting talented college graduates, career changers, and community members of all ages who are committed to teaching in San Francisco’s hard-to-staff schools and subjects. Combining a yearlong classroom apprenticeship with targeted master’s level coursework, SFTR provides Residents with the practical learning, hands-on experience, and ongoing support essential for successful careers in teaching.

The Basics – What Does the Program Look Like in San Francisco?

  • Cohorts of residents are placed in designated “Teaching Academies,” that are chosen because of their ability to serve diverse students well.
  • Residents learn in the classroom of a highly accomplished master teacher for an entire year while taking tightly connected coursework from university partners.
  • Upon completion of the residency, new teachers are supported for their first two years of teaching through an enhanced induction program.
  • Residents receive a stipend and reduced tuition for their training year in return for a minimum of three years of district service.
  • The first cohort began in summer, 2010.

Who We Are

The San Francisco Teacher Residency is a partnership between San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), the San Francisco Education Fund, University of San Francisco, Stanford University, United Educators of San Francisco, and AmeriCorps. We are committed to preparing high quality teachers for San Francisco’s hardest to staff schools and subjects.

What You Get by Joining SFTR

  • A transformative career teaching in the San Francisco Unified School District
  • An opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students
  • A Master's degree from the University of San Francisco or Stanford University at reduced cost
  • A California Teaching Credential
  • An $12,100 AmeriCorps stipend for living expenses
  • An AmeriCorps Education Award for those eligible
  • A network of colleagues dedicated to student excellence

What We Provide

  • A yearlong classroom apprenticeship with a master teacher in SFUSD
  • Rigorous, aligned coursework
  • Focus on the San Francisco context
  • A collaborative learning environment

An Affordable Route into Teaching

Upon admission to SFTR, Residents participate as AmeriCorps Volunteers and receive health care benefits and an $12,100 stipend to help with living expenses during the residency year. Residents participating through the University of San Francisco receive reduced tuition while Residents at Stanford are eligible for loan forgiveness. Upon successful program completion, residents are also eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,250, which can be applied to the cost of the master’s degree.

At the end of the residency year, graduates earn a California Preliminary Teaching Credential and coursework leading to a master’s degree in education. Upon successful completion of the residency, candidates commit to teaching in one of San Francisco’s hard to staff schools or subjects for a minimum of three years.

View the eligibility requirements.

Read frequently asked questions about San Francisco Teacher Residency.

Meet the residents.

Contact us if you are interested or have questions.