Your pathway begins with a year of immersive, hands-on classroom experience—similar to a medical residency. You’ll work alongside an experienced host teacher during the school day while receiving personalized coaching from a highly trained City Teaching Alliance instructional coach. After school, you’ll engage in practice-based, master’s-level coursework. Throughout the year, you’ll take on increasing responsibility by leading mini-lessons, analyzing student data, conducting assessments, and supporting small group instruction—building a strong foundation to lead your own classroom.
The Program
Teach for a Brighter Future
About The Program
Change Starts With You
You’ll receive a master’s degree from our higher education partner and become dually certified to teach in either elementary education, secondary English or secondary math, and special education. With us, you’ll get more comprehensive coursework and personalized support than any other teacher training program.
Transforming lives in just 4 years
Our 2×2 model offers two years of intensive training and two years of continued support—equipping you with the skills, staying power, and confidence to be an empowered, long-term educator.
Why Our Program
Take charge of your teaching journey
Masters Degree
A Master’s in Teaching from American University, a nationally recognized leader in preparing community-driven teachers.
Paid all 4 years
An initial residency year of paid classroom experience and a full-time, full-salaried teaching position starting in Year 2.
1:1 Coaching
Over 80 hours of 1:1 coaching over three years and coursework that promotes whole-child success.
Dual Teaching Certificates
Receive two accredited teaching certificates, including Special Education.
Preparing you for urban classrooms
We know that one of the most persistent problems in urban schools is high teacher turnover. Teacher attrition destabilizes schools and prevents students from reaching their potential. That’s why we ensure you’re equipped with the skills and support necessary to thrive as a long-term educator.
91
%
Educators who completed our program who are still in education
90
%
Of participants say the program gave them the skills they need to be effective in the classroom
Initiatives
Our program is intentionally rigorous. All children deserve an excellent education, and we commit to developing and supporting well-resourced and effective career educators.
Making Excellence Accessible
We believe there are no shortcuts to becoming a great educator and the cost of our program reflects the unmatched residency experience, coursework, coaching, and wrap-around support we provide. However, we are committed to making this program affordable and accessible. We provide financial support in the form of:
- Transitional assistance
- Grants
- Scholarships
Are you a good fit?
We select the very best candidates for our program – only 40 percent of applicants are accepted – and prepare them thoroughly for their careers.
Join the Alliance
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