Teacher Residency Partnerships

Overview:

In response to the difficulty 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 a 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 2025-2026 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. A Undergraduate Bachelor's degree or equivalent is required. Please visit their websites for further details. (attached below)

Application Deadlines for Priority Decision Making:

(CGU) November 1, 2024, February 1, 2025, May 1, 2025

(Alder) Cohort Start Dates: June 2025

(CGU) Cohort Start Date: Coursework starting in January 2025

Apply to be a Resident at Alder GSE:

Application deadlines are October 11, 2024, February 2, 2025, and March 22, 2025. The Resident stipend is currently $27,000 per year.

Resident Application

Mentor Application

Alder Resident Flyer — Alder Resident Flye

Click here to learn all about Alder Graduate School of Education

For more information, please contact SELPA Teacher Residency Coordinator Dr. Brian Wagner at [email protected] or SELPA Teacher Residency Program Specialist/Alder Grant Director Vonni Cummings at [email protected]

Claremont Graduate University Information