Who is eligible for the SUTR program?
Non-licensed professionals who are dedicated to education in Saint Paul Public Schools and have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
What is the SUTR criteria to be eligible for this residency program?
- Individuals with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Individuals with a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and teaching license in other subject areas (e.g. math, science, etc.)
- Individuals committed to our students and the SPPS community
- Individuals who will commit to teaching in SPPS for three years after completion of the residency
- Individuals seeking an initial license in:
- Elementary Education (K-6)
- Special Education; Academic and Behavior Strategist (ABS)* The ABS license prepares individuals to teach students with mild/moderate needs across the areas of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), development disabilities (DD), emotional behavioral disorders (EBD) and learning disabilities (LD)
What is a teacher residency program?
A teacher residency is a rigorous full-time classroom apprenticeship alongside graduate coursework. The coursework will be scheduled during the summer, and on Wednesdays (in the Fall semester) and Fridays (in the Spring semester) from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm throughout the school year. During the school year, residents will work closely with a mentor teacher, engaging in student teaching activities on a weekly basis, and attend courses once a week. Residents go through the program in a cohort model.
What is SUTR?
Saint Paul Urban Teacher Residency (SUTR) program aims to recruit, prepare and retain effective teachers who share similar life experiences as our diverse student population in Saint Paul Public Schools. SUTR is an innovative, graduate-level teacher residency program developed in partnership between Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) and the University of St. Thomas (UST). Residents will earn a master's degree and a teaching license once they successfully complete the program.
What are the benefits of SUTR? Why should I apply?
- Increased earning potential
- Earn your license in Special Education or Elementary Education and master's degree in 15 months
- Residents receive a stipend of $30,000; $1,000 book stipend; and single medical and dental benefits
- Future leadership opportunities
- UST scholarship opportunities
- Federal student loan forgiveness programs could be available after five years of teaching (from $5,000 up to $17,500)
- Intense mentoring and rigorous coursework grounded in SPPS's racial equity and gender inclusion policies
- Priority hire upon successful completion
- Member of the Teacher Retirement Association (TRA) Pension
- Eligible for teacher's benefits upon hire
- Wrap around supports for Graduates in their first year
- Network of resources and supports
- Become part of the SUTR community
What are the costs of SUTR?
Tuition is approximately $685/credit: approximately $23,290
Will residents receive benefits?
Yes, single medical and dental benefits are provided at no cost.
Will I be able to get my job back in SPPS if I decide not to teach?
SPPS will support you in finding a good fit for your career path.
Will I maintain my seniority during this program?
At this time, SUTR is not part of a bargaining unit.
Will SPPS guarantee me a position in the district upon completion of this program?
Upon successful completion of the program, Human Resources will work with Graduates to place them accordingly to their licensure area.
How will the stipend be dispersed?
The stipend will be dispersed according to Payroll schedule during the academic school year (bi-weekly).
Are there grants and/or scholarships?
Yes. UST will be offering scholarships based on merit. Those obtaining licenses in SPED will be eligible to apply for a loan forgiveness program that covers up to $17,000 after five years of teaching in a high need school. Those who attain their license in Elementary Education are eligible to apply for loan forgiveness program that covers up to $5,000 after five years of teaching in a high need school.
Will the resident be matched up with a mentor and what will that look like?
Yes, Residents will be matched with one mentor teacher for the duration of the school year.
Residents in our program are paired with dedicated mentor teachers who are experienced educators highly recommended by principals or program leaders. These mentors have been carefully selected by our SUTR program staff and are fully committed to understanding and supporting the residency program's requirements. They participate in monthly professional development sessions and are dedicated to providing coaching and guidance to their assigned Resident.
While Residents are encouraged to share their preferences such as location, start date, background experience, and preferred grade level with our program staff at the beginning of the program, it's important to note that we cannot guarantee an exact match for all preferences. However, we strive to find the best possible mentor and school site for each Resident.
It's important to clarify that Residents will not be placed at their current sites, and while Residents do not have the opportunity to select their own mentor, our program ensures that every effort is made to pair them with a mentor who will provide valuable support and guidance throughout their journey.
Do residents have a choice in school placement during the residency?
The SUTR team will place residents at designated sites.
What exams are required to obtain an initial teaching license?
Residents will need to complete the edTPA. St. Thomas and SUTR will embed edTPA workshops throughout the spring semester to inform Residents of each of the three tasks: 1) planning, 2) Instruction, 3) Assessment. Please learn more about edTPA here: https://edtpa.org/about
How many SUTR positions are being offered?
SUTR's goal is to recruit, prepare and retain 20 residents each year.
What types of leadership opportunities are available to SUTR participants after completion of the program?
We are hoping that after tenure, Graduates will become a mentor teacher for another cohort of SUTR residents. There are numerous leadership opportunities that are offered throughout the district to those with a teaching license. Other leadership opportunities include hosting a Resident for Learning Rotations (1-2 days) to support them in obtaining experiences to meet the requirements of their license.
Can I continue working in my current position and location?
The structure of this residency program requires candidates who have been selected for SUTR to leave their current position and partake in the full-time residency program. Residents will become a full-time SUTR employee and St. Thomas graduate student. Residents are placed at a school site determined by the SUTR program.
What is the application process?
Refer to the "How to Apply" dropdown menu for application details. Additionally, you must submit an application to the University of St. Thomas. Please refer to the St. Thomas application directions.
Will residents see a variety of environments or be connected with a single mentor-teacher classroom?
Residents will be with one mentor teacher for the school year. Residents will participate in the scheduled Learning Rotations, which consists of 1-2 days experience outside of their assigned placement. Learning rotations allow Residents to learn from other teachers and buildings.
Will this license be recognized outside of the SPPS district?
Yes. Upon successful completion of this program, Graduates will be fully licensed to teach in the state of Minnesota. It is a non-conventional pathway that is approved by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.
What can I do before joining the SUTR program?
- Before joining the program, become familiar with the SPPS community and the SUTR program:
