Teacher Residency Partnerships
In response to the difficulty of finding qualified teachers, West San Gabriel Valley Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) applied for and received approximately 2 million dollars in grant funding from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing for Teacher Residency Partnerships. The goal is to bring more qualified special education teachers to our member districts. West San Gabriel Valley SELPA has partnered with Alder Graduate School of Education (Alder GSE) and Claremont Graduate University (CGU) through a teacher residency grant. Beginning June 2023, aspiring teachers spend 4 days per week working with mentor teachers while also completing graduate coursework with Alder GSE or CGU online. Residents who are accepted will receive a stipend. By the end of the year, residents will earn a Special Education credential and a Masters Degree in Education. The program is currently recruiting both resident and mentor teachers for the 2026-2027 cohort.
Common Features:
- One-Year Residency in Special Education beginning in the Fall Term of the 2025-26 school year: Gain hands-on experience in one of our SELPA partner district schools, where you will work alongside experienced mentor teachers. You’ll gain hands-on experience while mastering academic content in collaboration with one of our partner Institutions of Higher Education.
- Stipend and Financial Support: Receive a $27,000 living stipend, with additional financial aid options
- Earn Your Master’s Degree and Teaching Credential: Complete both in just one year, fully integrated with your residency experience. The Alder program offers a Mild to moderate credential and the CGU program offers the Mild Moderate and the Extensive Supports Needs credential.
- University Advisor: Each Institution of Higher Education (IHE) provides a staff member who will provide support and direction to complete the field based credentialing requirements.
- Engage in Social Justice and Equity: This program emphasizes creating inclusive, diverse learning environments and advocating for equitable education for all students.
All districts are within the San Gabriel Valley, west of the 605 freeway. The SELPA member district include:
| Alhambra Unified School District | Arcadia Unified School District | Duarte Unified School District |
El Monte City School District |
El Monte Union High School District |
| Garvey Elementary School District | Monrovia Unified School District | Mountain View School District |
Rosemead
School District
|
San Gabriel Unified School District |
| San Marino Unified School District | South Pasadena Unified School District | Temple City Unified School District |
Valle Lindo
School District
|
*Final placement is a SELPA Teacher Residency Team Decision* |
Admission Requirements:
Each of the partner Institutions of Higher Education determine the admissions requirements. An Undergraduate Bachelor's degree or equivalent is required. Please visit their websites for further details (attached below).
Application Deadlines for Priority Decision Making:
(Alder) October 10, 2025
(CGU) November 1, 2025
(Alder) Cohort Start Dates: June 2026
(CGU) Cohort Start Date: January 2026
Apply to be a Resident at Alder GSE:
Application deadlines are October 10, 2025.
The Resident stipend is currently $27,000 per year.
Click here to learn all about Alder Graduate School of Education
For more information, please contact SELPA Teacher Residency Director Vonni Cummings at [email protected]
