---

Residency Application

Residency Application Deadlines

• Fall Residency: First Friday of May
• Spring Residency: First Friday of December

Please see your advisor to determine the appropriate application timeline.

Application Essay Questions

1. Picture yourself in a job interview with a principal. Explain why you are pursuing a career in education.
2. Select three words that describe you well. Explain how these words relate to the kind of school and classroom setting you wish to experience during your Residency in Student Teaching Semester.
3. Share a few strengths you possess that will be beneficial in your relationship with your mentor, students, parents, and other professionals in the school district.

Residency Placement Procedures

Research indicates that pre-service teachers benefit from an experience that revolves around a partnership with university faculty and public school mentor teachers. To facilitate such a partnership, the School of Teacher Education works closely with teachers and administrative teams from Wyoming school districts.The process for making placements begins when a student completes the application for Residency in Student Teaching. This application includes several questions that will eventually be shared with members of the placement team to assist in the placement process, similar to a job application. Therefore, candidates should take extra care when writing their responses.Placements depend on factors outside the student’s control, such as the number of mentor teachers available in a particular content area, the strengths of mentor teachers, and the number of students needing placement. Final placement decisions are made collaboratively by the UW Placement Coordinator, faculty, and school district personnel.Once a placement is confirmed, students receive an email with the details of the assignment (school/district, grade/content area, and mentor teacher name/contact information).

Contact: Sarah Rundall for placement questions.

Residency Information

Secondary Education (BA & BAS)

• Student Teacher Handbook: Secondary Education (2024–2025)
• Mentor Handbook: Secondary Education (2024–2025)

Elementary Education (BA)

• Student Teacher Handbook: Elementary Education (2024–2025)
• Mentor Handbook: Elementary Education (2024–2025)

Special Education & Art Education (BA)

• Student & Mentor Handbook: Special Education and Art Education (2024–2025)

Residency Overview

The student teaching residency is designed as an authentic, culminating experience, drawing upon what is learned in college courses and previous field experiences. During the 16-week residency, students will:

• Gradually assume increasing responsibilities in the classroom.
• Collaborate closely with their mentor teacher to plan the semester based on their preparedness and the unique classroom context.
• Demonstrate that program outcomes have been met through observation, guidance, and reflection.

Students will also have opportunities to:

• Visit other classrooms, programs, and schools.
• Interview teachers and administrators.

Expectations

• Full-Time Commitment: Student teaching is a full-time job.
• Professional Development: Participation in before- and after-school activities (e.g., staff meetings, parent conferences, workshops).

Prepare to focus 100% of your time and effort on the Residency experience. For detailed expectations, refer to the Residency Handbook linked above.Contact: Elizabeth McMahan for residency questions.