Dallas College expands paid teacher residency program to strengthen bilingual education

The Richardson Independent School District (RISD) held a regular board meeting on March 6, 2025, focusing on innovative teacher residency programs and partnerships aimed at enhancing educational quality and teacher preparedness.

The meeting began with a presentation on the paid teacher residency program in collaboration with Dallas College. This initiative, now in its third year, is unique in Texas as it compensates resident teachers, providing them with financial support for tuition while they gain practical experience in the classroom. The program allows residents to work three days a week as tutors, while dedicating one day to pedagogical training with college advisors. This model has shown success, with nine out of ten residents from the previous year returning to teach within the district.

Further discussions highlighted the "Camino al Maestro" program, which supports professionals transitioning into education. Participants attend Dallas College for one day a week, focusing on educational strategies and study skills. Additionally, the East Texas A&M University Beacon program was introduced, emphasizing an intensive year-long curriculum aimed at achieving bilingual certification for teachers.

The board also addressed partnerships with Teach for America, specifically targeting special education and bilingual educators. These collaborations are designed to assist individuals with foreign teaching credentials in navigating Texas certification requirements, including preparation for the TOFL exam, which assesses English proficiency.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to actively engage with university job fairs to attract bilingual education students and ensure they are aware of the opportunities available in the teaching profession. Overall, the board emphasized the importance of innovative approaches to teacher training and recruitment to meet the district's educational needs.