Propel Teacher Residency Program

Propel Teacher Residency Program (2026-2027 School Year)

Propel Schools is seeking individuals ready to commit to a career in teaching.  At Propel Schools, we believe educators must be passionate about equity and excellence to fulfill our mission of catalyzing the transformation of public education so that all children have access to high-performing public schools.  The Propel Teacher Residency Program (PTRP) is a fully-funded alternative route to teacher certification that trains, supports, and certifies individuals so they can provide high-quality education for children and young people.  If you’ve always wanted to teach but didn’t know where to start, this may be the right place.

Program Goals:

• Prepare new educators to be highly effective in meeting the unique needs of Propel scholars beyond what traditional preparation programs typically offer.
• Retain strong, mission-aligned educators to reduce the impact of educator turnover and shortages.
• Recruit talent with a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences.

University Partnerships:

Propel Resident educators earn their Pennsylvania teaching certification while receiving support and guidance from Propel Residency Staff in partnership with Point Park University and Carlow University. These university partnerships provide academic coursework and mentoring designed to support Residents throughout their certification process.

Residents complete required certification coursework and benefit from personalized professional development and mentorship from experienced educators committed to making a significant impact on scholars’ lives. Residents work under an individualized pay agreement aligned with their placement and certification progress.

Program Overview:

Benefits provided by the Propel Teacher Residency Program include:

• Pennsylvania State Certification support through Point Park University and Carlow University
• Access to personalized professional development and mentorship from a dedicated team of educators
• Support and community from fellow PTRP cohort members representing diverse backgrounds and regions
• Full-time employment opportunities with Propel Schools following successful completion of certification and residency requirements

Residency Program Tracks:

1. Apprenticeship -

The four-year Apprenticeship Track Program is an intentional, rigorous pathway designed to develop highly effective educators committed to Propel’s mission. Participants grow through structured experiences, coursework, and coaching, culminating in certification and leadership readiness. In the program, the Resident will earn a monthly stipend of $2,333 and be reimbursed for individual healthcare.  

Each Resident receives a full scholarship to Point Park University.  Point Park University is the only Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE)-recognized Pennsylvania institution offering an American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) program. ABCTE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to putting qualified professionals in the classroom through a state-approved alternative teacher certification program.

Residents work alongside a Propel educator during the week, receive individualized coaching support and professional development from the Residency Team, and have one day a week dedicated to ABCTE and Point Park coursework. Throughout the program, residents will be training full-time with our Residency Team.

After the first year, you will be placed as a permanent Full-Time Educator (starting salary according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, plus full benefits after the initial year of residency) in one of our thirteen Propel Schools. In year two, you will receive ongoing support and coaching through Residency, and in year three, you will continue to participate in the induction program through Propel Schools. 

2. Support to Teach Track -

This track offers flexibility for Residents who hold a support role within the school or network during their first year. Residents, alongside school leaders, network team, and the PTRP Residency Team, collaborate to create an individualized schedule that balances responsibilities in both their support position and residency requirements.

This dual role allows Residents to develop instructional skills while contributing to school support functions, gradually increasing teaching responsibilities as their schedule permits. The Support to Teach Track maintains all core program elements and expectations but offers a personalized approach to accommodate unique school or candidate circumstances.

3. Accelerated Track (Teacher of Record Track) -

In this track, Residents serve as the Teacher of Record during their first year, taking full classroom responsibility from the start. Given this increased responsibility, the Resident, Residency Team, school leadership, and network team work together to modify mentorship and the gradual release model to provide targeted support that meets the unique demands of this role.

This track accelerates the pathway to independent teaching while ensuring Residents receive coaching and professional development tailored to their needs.

Who are we seeking:

Propel Schools developed a rigorous full-time educator training initiative to tackle a critical challenge — recruiting, developing, and retaining quality educators. The Propel Teacher Residency Program prepares educators for culturally responsive teaching and meeting the instructional needs of all scholars. We seek candidates who prioritize social justice and educational equity for all scholars. 

Successful Residents finish the program as Pennsylvania-certified teachers with three years of teaching experience. Residents also gain the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of scholars and communities impacted by poverty and race. Propel Schools also recognizes that Black and Brown educators boost our scholars' academic performance and help close the achievement gap. Therefore, we are particularly interested in further diversifying our educator population and thus encourage candidates from historically marginalized communities to apply. 

Pennsylvania Certifications offered for Propel Schools through the ABCTE (American Board for Teacher Certification and Excellence) program include:

• Special Education PK-12
• Elementary Education PK-4
• Chemistry 7-12
• Biology 7-12
• Mathematics 7-12
• English 7-12
• Social Studies 7-12

Eligibility:

• Pennsylvania Department of Education clearances Act 34 (Criminal), Act 151 (Child Abuse), Act 114 (FBI Criminal History), and negative TB test
• Not currently enrolled in, nor has completed a teacher preparation or certification program
• 2 years of experience working with children / young people in an urban setting is strongly preferred

Benefits:

• Fully funded American Board for Certification Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) track
• Fully funded Point Park tuition and mentorship
• Stipend to help cover living expenses ($2,333 per month) plus health insurance (for Apprenticeship track)
• A first full year of mentorship through a residency with an experienced Propel educator and the Propel Teacher Residency Program Team
• Three years of full-time employment with Propel Schools upon successful completion of the Residency year

The selection process for the Propel Teacher Residency Program is highly selective, and the Program has limited capacity.  Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Salary : $2,333