Teacher Residency Program Available Through Sage is Now a Registered NYS Apprenticeship

Russell Sage College’s partnership with The Classroom Academy allows candidates for a Master of Science in Childhood/Special Education to apply for paid, full-time, two-year residencies with experienced teachers, instead of traditional seven-week student-teaching placements.

On May 13, The Classroom Academy received contingent approval as an Apprenticeship Training Program from the New York State Department of Labor. The new designation offers additional benefits to master’s degree candidates who are accepted to The Classroom Academy. 

The designation allows The Classroom Academy to apply for Department of Labor grant money, which, if awarded, would provide tuition support to teaching residents in addition to the existing living stipend, said Classroom Academy Director Colleen McDonald. Teaching residents will also receive an Apprenticeship certificate upon completing their residency, which documents the depth of on-the-job training they received.

McDonald said the Classroom Academy’s status as a New York State Registered Apprenticeship will increase access to graduate education programs and is also a way for school districts to strengthen recruitment, retention and positive impact on student learning with residency candidates and residency hires.

The Classroom Academy began in 2017 with a grant from the National Education Association. 

Russell Sage College’s Esteves School of Education is one of only three schools of education in New York state with a partnership with the Classroom Academy.

Visit www.sage.edu/academics/programs/childhood-special-education for more information or to apply to the Master of Science in Childhood/Special Education program at Russell Sage College. 

Candidates accepted at Russell Sage College may apply to the Classroom Academy at www.classroomacademy.org.