FAQ
The team at Kansas City Teacher Residency is dedicated to emphasizing the importance and maximizing the effectiveness of education in urban environments. By setting a higher standard of excellence for everyone involved in the journey of education in Kansas City, from teachers to principals, to students, we believe we can transform the lives of Kansas City kids for the better. If you have a question that isn’t answered below, please submit your question and a member of our team will follow-up with you shortly.
Do I have to have a degree in education to be eligible?
No! We consider applicants from a variety of backgrounds. In order to be eligible you must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Do I have to be a recent graduate to be eligible?
No! We consider applicants across the spectrum, including new graduates, young professionals, career changers and those in transition.
How long is the program?
The Residency is made up of a year-long program, after which certification is awarded, followed by a three year commitment to teach in our network of partner school districts.
Who is KCTR's graduate school partner for the Master’s of Education degree?
Our university partner is the University of Missouri, Kansas City. Together, the Kansas City Teacher Residency and UMKC have created a unique program specifically for residents. The Master’s of Curriculum and Leadership through UMKC is a two-year, full time master’s program. The unique curriculum, through the lens of urban education, is applicable to the residents’ experiences in high need, urban schools, and is based on the both the practical knowledge that KCTR has built over our four years of operation, and UMKC’s leadership in the field of urban education.
How is the stipend paid?
The stipend is paid on the 15th and last day of the month via direct deposit.
Will I be eligible for federal financial aid?
Throughout the two years it takes to earn your Master’s through UMKC, residents will be considered UMKC students. Therefore, residents will be eligible for financial aid as well as loan deferment for existing loans.
Who are the donors that support KCTR?
KCTR is generously supported by private and public foundations. Visit the Partners page for a full list of donors.
Which districts are in the KCTR network?
Visit the Partners page for a full list of public and public charter school districts that partner with KCTR for residency and placement.
Do you have high school placements?
At this time, the Kansas City Teacher Residency is only making placements in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle School English Language Arts, Middle School Science, and Middle School Math. We do expect to expand into high school placements in future years.
Do you have Special Education placements?
KCTR currently offers initial certification in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education for all program entrants and offers intial certification in Middle School Science, Middle School Math, and Middle School English Langauge Arts for qualifying program entrants. KCTR intends to offer SPED certification to a small, initial cohort for the ’20-’21 cohort. Interested applicants can indicate this interest on their application.
Can I tell you where I want to be placed?
Residents play a large role in determining their placement sites. Through a thoughtful approach, residents are able to visit with our school partners at their school sites and then outline their preferences. If you have a school placement site in place prior to applying, please reach out to a member of our recruitment team to communicate this preference.
When does the program start?
The Residency begins with a summer Institute that lasts five weeks through June and the beginning of July. Summer Institute for the 2020-2021 Cohort will begin on June 8th 2019 and conclude July 10th. Please note that while the formal start date of the Residency is not until June, once you are accepted into the program, there will be a set of required matriculation tasks prior to start of the Residency.
Where do I apply?
The application can be found at kcteach.org/apply.
What are the stages of the application process?
Stage 1: Initial Application
Applicants submit contact information, unofficial transcripts, a resume, as well as a pair of short answers and reference contact information.
Stage 2: Phone Interview
KCTR conducts a 30–45 minute phone interview that allows to dive deeply into what applicants believe about education, learn about their mindsets and habits, and also allows applicants to ask questions they might have about KCTR.
Stage 3:Selection Day
Selection Day is a full-day event at which applicants have the opportunity to teach a sample lesson to real students, talk with building leaders from partner schools, work on group projects, and demonstrate that they have what it takes to be a KCTR Resident.
When does the 2020-2021 application open?
The KCTR application window for 2020-2021 is now open! Head to KCTeach.org/apply to submit your application.
Have More Questions About Urban Education & KCTR?
We invite you to submit a question and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.