Resident Teacher Job Description

 

Summary

The resident teacher (RT) is a student teacher who participates in a year-long enhanced residency experience under the guidance of a highly effective host teacher (HT). A resident observes and learns on the job in preparation for a teaching career while earning a degree from Sam Houston State University or Lamar University.  For a full school year, the resident works alongside the HT. Residents are actively engaged in as many elements of the classroom as possible from the very beginning of the residency year, which follows the school district calendar from beginning of year to end of year.  The resident will gradually assume greater responsibilities throughout the residency year as they develop as a teacher. Compensated roles must not compromise learning goals for future teachers. 

Typical responsibilities include learning while:

• Co-planning and co-teaching with HT and other team members, leading small group instruction, leading instruction without the HT present (with planning support from HT)
• Attending professional development prior to the start of the school year and on-going throughout the school year 
• Participating in team planning, Professional Learning Communities, school-based professional development, campus faculty meetings, and meetings with their Site Coordinator (SC)
• Working with the HT to monitor and improve instruction with formative and summative assessments, grading, data analysis, and rubrics to identify next steps 
• Adapting and improving high-standards, differentiation-ready lesson plans that motivate strong student learning, after learning to deliver such lessons prepared by the HT and/or experienced team members 
• Managing procedures, maintaining student safety, supervising students, and developing students’ social-emotional skills during transitions, lunch, recess, assemblies, and other activities, and while team teachers plan or deliver instruction
• Embracing feedback from the HT and the Site Coordinator before, during, and after informal and formal observations 
• Taking responsibility for other non-instructional duties as assigned by the HT
• Under HT supervision, engage with district technology applications required of classroom teachers

Responsibilities 

(while learning from HT and collaborating with team; may vary)

Classroom and School Environment-Yearlong

• Identify and address individual students' social, emotional, and behavioral learning needs and barriers 
• Hold students accountable for ambitious, measurable, high expectations of behavior and engagement 
• Contribute to a culture of respect, enthusiasm, and rapport 
• Manage student behavior during transitions and less structured time (such as recess, lunch)
• Monitor independent work time in classroom while teacher provides instruction
• Identify and suggest ways to engage students in a physical classroom that include technology

Planning and Preparation-Progressively Doing More

• Co-plan and co-teach with HT and other team members, lead small group instruction, lead instruction without the Host Teacher present (with planning support from HT)
• Implement the district adopted curriculum
• Plan backward to align all lessons, activities, and assessments with high-expectation standards & curriculum
• Implement and suggest improvements to instruction that develop higher-order thinking skills and is personalized, reflecting the levels and interests of individual students
• Implement and suggest improvements to assessments that accurately assess student progress

Instruction-Progressively Doing More

• Internalize, adapt and improve high-standards, differentiation-ready lesson plans that motivate strong student learning by demonstrating the ability to deliver such lessons prepared by the Host Teacher and/or experienced team members.
• Provide small-group instruction under the direction and using tools/rubrics of the HT and team
• Supervise student skills practice, projects, and digital learning
• Co-Teach with HT
• Lead whole-group instruction
• Participate in instructional planning, data review, and improvement during the year

Professional Responsibilities

• Solicit and willingly receive feedback from HT, Campus Administrator, SC, and team members to improve professional skills
• Meet with HT to ensure alignment of instructional vision and delivery in all classrooms and to troubleshoot students' persistent learning challenges
• Collaborate with other grade-level team members
• Participate in parent meetings, instructional school events, and professional development opportunities at school

Qualifications

 

• Enrolled in the EPP program at Sam Houston State University or Lamar University, working towards a teaching certificate 

 

• Strong work ethic, open to feedback, responsiveness to coaching, and a belief that all students can achieve.
• Demonstrated effectiveness working with people who have differing cultural backgrounds and/or personal characteristics, including race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or economic differences.
• Knowledge of subject matter being taught
• Ability to communicate effectively

Hours

 

• Resident Teachers will be present during teacher contract hours and dates set by the district calendar. Resident Teachers will follow district policy regarding discretionary leave. 

 

• (Undergraduate) Paid Enhanced Residency
• Semester 1:  3 days per week (at least 21 hours per week with HT; on days they are not attending class at SHSU)
• Semester 2:  5 days per week (at least 21 hours per week with HT)

 

  Release Time Support:

The Resident Teacher (RT) will provide release time support to the Host Teacher (HT) in completing coaching/support responsibilities outside of the classroom.  During release time, the Resident Teacher (RT) co-teaches alongside the Host Teacher (HT) in providing instructional responsibilities inside of the classroom.  During co-teaching time, the Host Teacher will provide in-class support, observations, and coaching of the Resident Teacher.  Over the course of the year, RTs will gradually increase the number of solo teaching hours (release time for the HT).  Each Host Teacher, Site Coordinator and Resident Teacher should work collaboratively to determine the best way to meet the Resident Teacher’s needs.

 

Release Time Support Responsibilities: 

• RT and HT will receive training over the summer on their roles and responsibilities. This includes training on the co-teaching models and coaching training for HT. 
• Follow the model parameters as referenced in the SISD Companion Guide. 

 

Substitute Teaching Opportunity:

The Resident Teacher (RT) will have the opportunity to substitute teach on the campus assigned. The Resident Teacher may substitute 3 days during the first semester of residency. The Resident Teacher may substitute 5 days during the second semester of residency. The Resident Teacher must be approved by the Site Coordinator, Host Teacher, and Campus Supervisor/Principal prior to additional subbing opportunities. If the Site Coordinator, Host Teacher or Campus Supervisor/Principal do not feel the Resident Teacher is ready for that responsibility, the Resident Teacher may not sub for all the days allowable. 

 

Substitute Responsibilities:

• Attend SISD Resident Teacher onboarding.  
• Follow the model parameters as referenced in the SISD Companion Guide. 

 

Compensation

• $20,000 stipend for the 2026-2027 school year
• Resident Teacher will be paid monthly 
• Contact the designated district personnel with questions about compensation.