SHU and Bridgeport Public Schools Team Up to Prepare Teachers Using Residency Model

Program offers blend of hands-on experience with beneficial mentor guidance

The Isabelle Farrington College of Education and Bridgeport Public Schools launched the second year of the Bridgeport Teacher Residency Program this fall. With the consultation of the National Center for Teacher Residencies, Sacred Heart Director of Teacher Preparation René Roselle and Bridgeport Public Schools District TEAM Facilitator Michael Brosnan designed the program with the intention of preparing teachers who would then commit to teaching in Bridgeport Schools after graduation for at least three years. Roselle and Brosnan understood that building a program that afforded resident teachers a full year of experience to work alongside a mentor teacher was an ideal preparation model. The residency program is placed in Geraldine Johnson School and Central High School.

Johnson School Assistant Principal Ryan Howard shares his passion for the program by saying, “as a Bridgeport Public School administrator, I have had the pleasure of hiring teachers from the Teacher Residency Program. The teachers in SHU’s program are provided with hands-on experiences and take on the responsibilities throughout the year under the mentorship of veteran teachers. As a result, teachers from the program are vastly more experienced and prepared for the classroom on day one. "

Bridgeport and SHU successfully completed year one of the program during the 2020-2021 academic year despite challenges of the pandemic. The residency program pairs teacher candidates with a mentor for a full school year. The pair works collaboratively to co-plan, co-instruct and co-assess students as a team. Jayce Jones from the 2020-2021 cohort noted, “My growth within this residency program has been enormous even just from the first two weeks being in the school. The one thing that truly stood out to me within this program is the relationship you build with the kids as well and your mentor.” The co-teaching model paired with a yearlong opportunity for supervised practice is an ideal, evidence-based way to prepare teachers who are more likely to be retained in the profession.

Johnson school principal, Luisa Wolf, notes “Sacred Heart University’s Teacher Residency Program has been a welcomed addition to our school. The program allows educators opportunities to develop the art and science of teaching as they address the challenges facing the children and families in Bridgeport Public Schools. The program allows future teachers to blend coursework with real-life experiences resulting in better prepared teacher leaders.”  

A weekly seminar that takes place in the school serves as a support for the residents all year. The seminar addresses topics the residents may be experiencing in the schools. Lauren Vigorito highlighted how the experience impacted her saying, “The residency program is an experience like no other. During this program I have gained the confidence and the wisdom that I need to succeed as a teacher, and that is because of the excellent support I have been given, as well as being able to be in the same classroom from beginning to end.” In addition to the weekly seminar for residents, the mentors attend a monthly session designed to provide them with support.  During the monthly session, the residents are given the opportunity to teach alone. 

Caitlin Wall, a resident who completed her residency at Central High School, cited how the model worked to build her preparedness. “My confidence throughout this year has grown tremendously, in the classroom and out. I feel more confident to be myself and open to trying new things. I have been given opportunities to try new strategies during lessons and different ways to keep students engaged, even if it means embarrassing myself a little bit. I am more prepared to have a classroom of my own than I ever thought I would be, and I am very excited about that!  Bridgeport is a fantastic environment to work in. The staff is amazing, and everyone is willing to help and guide me through situations. Since I started the Bridgeport Residency Program, I have learned more about this city and the people are awesome!”

For more information about the Bridgeport Teacher Residency Program, contact René Roselle at roseller@sacredheart.edu or Michael Brosnan at mbrosnan@bridgeportedu.net.