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Denton ISD updates board on teacher and principal residency programs, aims to grow local pipeline
Summary
District leaders reported progress on teacher and principal residency programs: 26 teacher residents this year, a competitive principal residency with a $647,000 grant and plans to retain more residents as full‑time staff.
Denton ISD staff briefed trustees on the district’s teacher and principal residency programs during the Jan. 14 meeting, detailing placements, mentorship structures and grant support used to grow local pipelines of educators.
District presenters said the teacher residency program—partnering with local universities—includes 26 paid residents placed at multiple campuses. The district said principals hand‑select host teachers who act as mentors and that the position is structured as a paid, full‑year residency to reduce the burden of simultaneous coursework and unpaid student teaching.
The principal residency program is supported by a competitive grant of $647,000, staff said; the cohort of principal residents is smaller and focused on high‑need campuses. District staff described the principal residency as a full‑time, gradually released administrative apprenticeship in which residents earn a master’s degree and principal certification while working alongside mentor principals.
District staff highlighted mentorship and structured professional learning as program components, and they said 11 of 25 residents from the prior year remain employed by Denton ISD. Presenters said the district aims to hire 26 residents this year and continue building the local pipeline.
Staff said host teachers and mentor principals receive training aligned to research on first‑year teacher support and instructional mentorship. Presenters also described local university partners—University of North Texas (UNT) and Texas Woman’s University (TWU)—and district staff who coordinate coursework and on‑campus residency experiences.
District leaders said they plan to continue expanding the program to meet staffing needs and noted that residents who serve in paid aide roles accrue a year of service credit with the Teacher Retirement System while they complete the residency.
Trustees praised the model and asked questions about outcomes and staff wellbeing; district staff said they will continue tracking retention, certification outcomes and placement success rates.
