Humanizing Teacher Preparation: Claremont Graduate University's Teacher Residency

Abstract

Claremont Graduate University (Claremont), a nonprofit, private institution in southern California, offers a flexible Teacher Education Program that is a 12- to 18-month, 100% online residency program. Claremont's residency model was launched as a pilot in 2020 with 5 residents and grew to include 34 fulltime residents in the 2022-23 academic year, when this study was conducted. Candidates earn a Master of Arts in Education in addition to a preliminary Multiple Subject (elementary), Single Subject (secondary), or Education Specialist (special education) credential. Within the program, there are several timing, placement, and funding options for residents, of which the Claremont Fellows option was the most commonly used from 2020 through 2023. The case study presented in this report was conducted in 2023 and was guided by the overarching question "How do successful residencies do their work?" It is part of a larger multiple-case study of five California teacher residency programs across four different institutions of higher education, conducted with the goal of documenting the details of program infrastructure; program design; recruitment strategies; resident, mentor teacher, and graduate supports; partnerships; and financial sustainability. By understanding the details of how these residencies developed and operated their programming, we are able to share insights that can inform the design and continuous improvement of residency programs across the country.