Students and working professionals who are either pursuing or hold a degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) field are invited to attend a “MeetUp” to learn more about Project Inspire, Chattanooga’s urban teacher residency.
Project Inspire recruits, trains and supports the next generation of great math and science teachers in support of a shared belief that all students deserve access to high-quality teaching and learning, said officials. The National Science Foundation and AmeriCorps fund Project Inspire, and it operates through collaboration among the Hamilton County Department of Education, Tennessee Tech University and the Public Education Foundation.
Project Inspire uses a nationally recognized residency model that prepares teachers through a rigorous 15-month specialized program of study. During a year-long classroom apprenticeship, residents spend four days a week teaching alongside a clinical instructor, with the resident gradually assuming more responsibility as the year progresses. Throughout the residency year, participants also complete customized graduate courses offered by Tennessee Tech in Chattanooga that lead to a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
Participants receive a $22,100 living stipend during the residency year. In return for a four-year commitment to teach in high-need math/science positions, program graduates will also receive a $10,000 teaching stipend in addition to the base teaching salary during each of the first four years of teaching. Because great teaching is a collaborative process, Project Inspire residents also serve alongside one another at training sites and will continue to learn as a cohort throughout the first four years.
“Project Inspire graduates are currently teaching in eight of our high-need schools,” said Rick Smith, Hamilton County Department of Education superintendent. “All of our principals said they would hire another residency graduate again, and the data shows that these teachers are more effective than many other first-year teachers.”
Project Inspire is part of a national network of 22 sister programs, called Urban Teacher Residency United. Working in 30 high-need school districts across the nation, these residencies have prepared more than 2,000 graduates.
The next Project Inspire MeetUp will be held in PEF’s Holmberg Leadership Center on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 5 p.m. College seniors and professionals with STEM experience are encouraged to attend and Project Inspire seeks candidates who want to share their passion for math/science with curious young minds. The program also welcome community members who would like to learn more about the innovative concept of teacher residency. During the session, attendees will have an opportunity to hear from current Project Inspire residents, to meet the Project Inspire staff, and to learn more about the application process. This is also an opportunity to meet other candidates and to discuss Project Inspire’s collective commitment to public education.
This is the final session designed to prepare candidates for the early admission deadline on Dec. 1. Future sessions will be conducted on a monthly basis in advance of the spring application deadline on March 1. In mid-March, Project Inspire will hold a 2-day Selection Event to confirm the 12 available resident slots and a waiting list.
For more information, please visit projectinspiretn.org