An anonymous benefactor has pledged funds to The School of Education and Human Development to recruit, train, mentor, and certify the next generation of special educators.
The School of Education and Human Development (SEHD) has been awarded $240,000 by an anonymous benefactor to fund the development of a Special Education Teacher Residency Program. The mission of the residency program is to recruit, train, mentor, and certify the next generation of special educators within K-12 alliance districts. Fairfield University will contribute $60,000, twenty-five percent of the grant, to provide additional funding towards this initiative.
Through this program participants would earn both a master’s degree and initial teacher certification in special education. Residents would also commit to teaching in their districts for three years following program completion.
"Strong schools begin with strong teachers,” said Laura Whitacre ’02, MA’12, senior assistant dean and certification officer, and director of Secondary Education. “This grant allows us to work alongside our partner school districts to develop a teacher residency program that prepares future special education teachers through immersive, mentored clinical experiences alongside experienced educators. Together, we are building a sustainable pipeline of highly prepared special education teachers who are ready to meet the unique strengths and needs of our communities while expanding opportunities for aspiring educators, strengthening our partner districts, and benefiting PK–12 students and their families for years to come."
