The Kansas City Teacher Residency (KCTR) is a non-profit organization founded in 2015
to improve student outcomes by preparing, certifying, and retaining highly effective teachers who are rigorously prepared and supported. We recruit individuals who are dedicated to making an equitable, antiracist education system a reality in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
How We Help
Out of all school-related factors, the quality of the teacher is the largest indicator of student achievement.
We believe that by preparing teachers to be highly effective educators who are dedicated to the students they serve, we can create an educational environment in our public schools where all students succeed.
Quality Education for All Students
By altering the way we approach teacher preparation, we can make a difference in the education of our youth.
We recognize the long-standing prevalence of racism, anti-Blackness, and white supremacy in America and the direct impact this has had on the education profession and student access to high quality education. KCTR is committed to actively and directly challenging racist, anti-Black, and white-supremacist education systems that have been created against the Black community, Indigenous peoples, and People of Color.
Our Mission
The Kansas City Teacher Residency will recruit, prepare, develop, place, and retain mission-oriented individuals who want to make a deep commitment to working in Title 1 schools with culturally and linguistically diverse students within Kansas City.
OUR Vision
At KCTR, we see a Kansas City where quality education is guaranteed for all kids. We envision a Kansas City education system that has dedicated, diverse, and prepared teachers who understand and meet the needs of all students.
Our Values
Making a difference
- 01. Mission driven
-
At KCTR, we fundamentally believe that by developing highly effective teachers, we can create equitable classrooms where all students will learn and maximize their potential.
- 02. Care & love
-
At KCTR, we strive to illuminate and uncover ourselves as educators and deepen our empathy and commitment to our students, selves, team, families, and our city. We cultivate communities that ground each person in affirmation, value, support, and safety.
- 03. Persistence
-
At KCTR, we remain focused on our mission and persevere even when challenges and setbacks stand in our way.
- 04. High Expectations
-
At KCTR, we believe that with an intentional focus on continuous growth, we will improve all aspects of teaching and learning. We commit to modeling excellence with grace as we seek to develop this in others.
- 05. Growth Mindset
-
At KCTR, we value progress. Leveraging feedback and reflection, we celebrate accomplishments, acknowledge challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth, and contribute to a community of individuals who seek to continuously develop.
- 06. Collaboration
-
At KCTR, we build genuine relationships with partners, stakeholders, and the community—both inside and outside the classroom—to strengthen our collective impact.
- 07. Ownership
-
At KCTR, we are accountable to students, ourselves, and our community to embody mindsets, actions, and results that aid in the pursuit of our mission.
Program Overview
From the application process through the Residency, our model is purposefully rigorous to prepare teachers for the intensity of the teaching profession.
Our graduate-level teacher preparation program in Kansas city offers additional benefits compared to a traditional education preparation program. We accomplish this by supporting pre-service teachers through a one-year Residency. Additionally, we provide continued individualized coaching support and professional development through their first three years as a teacher of record.
31
School Sites
42
Residents
109
Graduates
1
Goal
Our Impact
Our goal isn’t to just certify individuals to become educators. Rather, we focus on preparing highly effective teachers for classrooms through the best equity-driven teacher preparation program in Kansas City so that one day every child might have a quality education, no matter their circumstances.
School Partners
Hear from our teachers.
Get Involved
Whether you’re looking to become a teacher resident, a donor, a partner school, or a sponsor, we’re always excited to get in touch with people who care about KC as much as we do.
Get started
Are you ready to make a difference?
Our city needs great educators. Become a teacher through the Kansas City Teacher Residency and make a difference in the lives of Kansas City area students. This one-year residency program and three-year teaching commitment is for college graduates and career changers who want to become excellent teachers and make an impact.
