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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is celebrating the largest cohort in its teacher training program since its inception. This year, 206 inductees were honored at a ceremony on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone for the CPS Teacher Residency initiative, which began in 2017. The program offers a full-time, paid training pathway for professionals transitioning to education and paraprofessionals aiming to become full-time teachers.
“There is a national teacher shortage and, as an innovative and high achieving public school district, we are not going to sit idly and wait for qualified educators to find their way to us,” said CPS’ Chief Talent Officer Ben Felton. He emphasized the district's proactive approach in investing in potential educators through resources and pathways that foster homegrown talent.
This year's cohort includes 52 Black residents and 79 Latinx residents. The program targets candidates who can fill high-need teaching positions, with 67 percent eligible for special education roles, 33 percent for early childhood education, and 19 percent for bilingual education.
Patrick Blake, one of the new inductees, described his experience in the program as transformative. “This has been one of the best decisions of my life,” he stated. Blake credited his mentor and the resources provided by the program for helping him transition into teaching.
The Teacher Residency Program allows participants to earn necessary educational degrees and credentials while gaining on-the-job experience as CPS employees. During their first year, residents work alongside mentor teachers while receiving salaries and health benefits. After completing their training year successfully, they move on to lead their own classrooms with increased pay.
Since its pilot cohort of 12 teachers-in-training in 2017, the residency program has grown significantly. The district aims to prepare over 700 new teachers in high-demand areas over the next five years as part of its Teach Chicago initiative—a comprehensive strategy to build a diverse teaching force amidst nationwide shortages.
These efforts have contributed to reversing a long-term decline in Black teacher representation within CPS. For the upcoming school year, nearly half of new teachers identify as Black or Latinx—an increase from previous years—and overall staffing levels have risen by 17% since 2018.
Key supporters of the CPS Teacher Residency include the Joyce Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, and the National Center for Teacher Residencies. Teach Chicago also receives support from these organizations along with additional backing from the U.S. Department of Education.
For more information about the Teacher Residency program, visit the Teach Chicago website.
