Frequently Asked Questions

We seek diverse candidates who believe that all students are capable of academic achievement and are ready to make a difference in high-needs schools here in St. Louis. We look for candidates with a variety of backgrounds, including new college graduates, working professionals, and career changers.

To be eligible to apply, all candidates must have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree conferred prior to program start

• Cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher (or provide additional context on your GPA to be considered)

• Commitment to work in their partner school or district for a total of four years (this includes the one-year apprenticeship year when residents are co-teaching)

We certify teachers in content areas that match the greatest needs of our school partners, based on their teacher vacancies. This includes elementary education (grades 1-6) and math, science and English language arts for both middle and high school (secondary education).

To be considered for a middle or high school placement (math, science, or ELA), candidates must meet one of our qualification pathways: has a degree major or minor in a related field of study, has completed significant coursework in the content area, has professional or teaching experience in the content, or has a passion for the content that equates to strong knowledge in that content area. On the application, candidates will have the opportunity to provide additional context on their qualifications.

Additional information about the certification process in Missouri can be found on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.

During the first year of the residency, residents receive a stipend of at least $24,000 directly from their partner school. School partners also provide full health insurance benefits.

In year two, following certification, residents receive a lead teacher salary. The average starting salary for certified teachers at our partner schools is approximately $45,000, but there is some variation, depending upon your school placement as well as the candidate’s educational background.

The total cost of tuition for the program over two years of coursework is $16,000.

This includes an $8,000 tuition for the certification coursework facilitated by STLTR in year one of the program. Residents have the option of deferring the cost of this certification tuition until the second year of the program, when they are earning a lead teacher salary at their partner school.

The total cost also includes an $8,000 tuition for the Master of Arts in Teaching & Learning (MATL) from Washington University in year two of the program. The MATL tuition is offered at a significantly discounted rate to STLTR residents, and covers 21 credit hours.

For the Master’s degree, all residents are eligible to apply for the federal TEACH Grant or take out federal or private student loans to cover the cost of tuition. The TEACH Grant is offered by the U.S. Department of Education and residents may use it to cover the entire $8,000 cost of their Master's degree tuition from Washington University.

There are additional financial support opportunities available:

• For eligible residents, our Black Educators Initiative (BEI) grant provides an $8,000 scholarship to cover the first-year cost of certification tuition. Most details can be found on our BEI page.

• Summer Bridge Funds: All first-year residents are able to apply for emergency funds during the Summer Term in July and August. If an unexpected emergency or cost comes up, these bridge funds can support with applicable expenses.

We believe that mentor and school partner match is important to a resident’s success in the program. We offer school site visits for residents, conduct an interview process with school partners, and then consider the preferences of both our school partners and residents when making a match.

We ask our residents to work in the same school district or charter management organization during their first two years in the program. STLTR partners with a diverse group of public schools in St. Louis. A complete list of school and district partners is available on our Partner page.

You’ll start gaining full-time experience in a classroom during your first year, and you’ll be surrounded by a system of support that’s designed to help you receive your teaching certification, a Master’s degree in Teaching, and ultimately, develop into a highly-effective teacher who will stay in the profession for years to come.

Throughout the residency, STLTR residents train as part of a cohort – a peer group that provides ongoing support and collaboration. The cohort community continues to be a supportive and collaborative space for residents to engage in critical thought and bond over their shared teaching experiences.

In the classroom during your first year, you’ll be mentored by an experienced teacher who went through a rigorous selection process and has demonstrated student growth in their own classroom. Mentor teachers, just like instructional coaches, provide direct and meaningful feedback to support residents into becoming highly-effective educators in their school buildings. They are committed to your success and supporting your co-teaching experience.

The residency program begins in July with a three week summer term. During this time, residents build community with their cohort and learn foundational skills necessary to get started co-teaching at their partner school in August. During the school year, residents meet every Friday to participate in their certification coursework together as a cohort.