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Grow Your Own Teacher Residency

The Austin Peay State University Eriksson College of Education is a national leader in equipping students to become successful teachers and working with school districts to address teacher shortages. The Austin Peay State University and Clarksville-Montgomery County School System Teacher Residency program became the first registered apprenticeship program for teaching in the country in January 2022. Tennessee is the first state nationwide to sponsor Teacher Occupation Apprenticeship programs. This model assists in addressing teacher shortages and building the talent pipeline. 

Grow Your Own Graduates

What is the Grow Your Own Teacher Residency? 

This program is a three-year experience available to new or upcoming high school graduates, as well as classified employees or community members (without a bachelor's degree). Once accepted into the program, the student works as a teacher resident in a local school district. Students are paid a salary by the school district and attend college at no cost. Tuition and books are covered for participants. Throughout the three-year program, teacher residents are paired with an experienced mentor teacher in their school. 

Grow Your Own Teacher Residency Signing Event

How Do I Become a Teacher Resident? 

The application to become a teacher resident begins with the school district. Several school districts have agreements with APSU, including:

Grow Your Own Logo


Dickson County Teacher Residents poses during signing event
Get Started
If you are interested in becoming a teacher resident or partnering with Austin Peay as a school district, we want to help! If you are a prospective student or prospective school district partner, please complete the inquiry form below so that we can provide you with information and next steps. If you have additional questions, please contact Amber Button, Coordinator of Teacher Residencies, at buttona@apsu.edu or 931-221-7514. 

Teacher Residency Inquiry Form

Please submit your contact information, and an APSU representative will be in touch with more information. 

Inquiry Type*
Please indicate whether you are interested in applying to become a teacher resident or if you are a district administrator interested in learning more about establishing a residency program
Are you currently employed by a school district in Tennessee?*
Have you graduated with a bachelor's degree?

 

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