Region 4’s Teacher Residency Program Empowers Future Educators in Texas

When student teacher Shelby Velasquez walks into her classroom at Cy-Fair High School each morning, she’s not just observing—she’s part of the team. As a Sam Houston State University student in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD’s (CFISD’s) Teacher Residency Program, Velasquez earns a salary and participates in every aspect of classroom instruction, from planning lessons to analyzing student data.

 

“It’s been very rewarding,” Velasquez said. “I’ve gotten a lot of tips from my mentor team, stuff they don’t even cover in the university. [My host teacher is] teaching me how students work and how they think and how best to handle them and how best to support them.”

 

Velasquez is one of seven resident teachers in CFISD’s Teacher Residency Program, which was created in partnership with Region 4 to address the critical challenge of teacher retention. According to the United States Department of Education, nearly 50 percent of new teachers leave the profession within their first five years. Region 4 developed its Teacher Apprenticeship Program in 2022 to help districts like CFISD create tailored apprenticeship and residency programs for recent college graduates and those earning a degree. 

 

Unlike traditional student teaching, residents commit to a full year in the classroom under the guidance of a host teacher while earning an income. “They receive so much extra support, which leads to higher levels of preparedness in the classroom,” said Dr. Christian Winn, Director of Region 4’s Educator Development department. “Participants work under a certified host teacher in their desired subject area—such as high school math—while earning their teaching certification.”

 

According to Dr. Winn, many new educators face financial burdens or enter the profession underprepared, which leads to high turnover rates. Residency programs address both issues.

For Velasquez, the residency program and extra mentorship has already yielded results.

 

“[My host teacher] closes the door before the new students can come in and tells me exactly what I did right and what I need to work on,” Velasquez said. “By seventh period, I’ve got it on lock.”

 

The residency program’s strength lies in its comprehensive design: residents gain hands-on experience, fulfill certification requirements, and receive ongoing feedback from experienced mentors.

 

“By the end of the program, aspiring teachers have a stronger sense of what the profession entails,” said Dr. Winn. “They receive consistent feedback from their host teacher and mentors, which helps them grow as educators.” Most importantly, they emerge prepared for full-time teaching positions, often within their host districts.

 

Visit the Region 4 Teacher Apprenticeship Program website to discover how Region 4’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program is transforming education and building the future of teaching.