Graduate Teaching Programs
A Supportive Introduction to Teaching
An innovative two-year residency program that provides aspiring teachers with a supportive, gradual introduction to the teaching profession. The program provides mentorship and robust coursework, resulting in a Master’s degree and lead teaching position with KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools at the conclusion of the two-year program. Residents commit an additional two years of lead teaching at KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools upon completion of the residency program.
Residency Overview
The KIPP Metro Atlanta Teaching Residency is a unique and rigorous teacher preparation program that offers a supportive and powerful pathway for aspiring teachers to begin a rewarding career in the classroom. This selective, paid, two-year program immerses residents in intensive training through graduate coursework and thoughtful practice with a gradual on-ramp into teaching.
Over the course of the program, students will build their skills over time, beginning first as a full-time teacher-in-residence supporting a lead classroom teacher. As they progress during the first year, they’ll steadily gain responsibility leading small groups of students and delivering parts of lessons, until they are ready to instruct a whole class of students for extended periods of time. Once residents successfully complete the first year of the program, they will become a lead teacher at a KIPP Metro Atlanta school while continuing their MAT coursework
Throughout the two-year experience, residents will receive focused support from faculty and a dedicated Resident Advisor at their school. They’ll also have the opportunity to participate in “deliberate practice,” an intensive form of focused practice that has been proven to help experts — from concert musicians to professional athletes — develop complex skills.
Additionally, Residents will have the opportunity to engage in content development, case studies, and instructional rounds all aimed at building a continuous learning mindset and an eye for excellence in the classroom. Residents will complete the program with two years of full-time work experience, a toolkit of professional skills, teaching certification, and a master’s degree in teaching. This program is best suited for individuals who are passionate and committed to teaching as a long-term career path and are looking to become highly effective teachers for our students.
Who Should Apply
We are looking for people with a passion for education and a call to educate students in the Metro Atlanta area. Candidates must meet the following requirements in order to apply:
- A four-year degree from an accredited university with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- A history of achievement and perseverance
- Growth-oriented, ready to learn the art of teaching, and willing to work extremely hard in order to continuously improve their craft
- An unwavering commitment to our students and the mission of our schools
- A team player who is willing to work collaboratively with others to support the success of students
Application Process
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Overview
I accepted an offer for the KIPP Metro Atlanta Teaching Residency. Am I automatically enrolled into a graduate program?
Your offer from KIPP is contingent upon successfully being admitted into our graduate partner. Because we review all candidates’ unofficial transcripts during the interview process, you should be admitted into the program without issue unless you fail to complete your admissions application on time or your official transcripts differ from your unofficial transcripts. More information will be provided during our interview process.
When does the 2024-25 KIPP Metro Atlanta Teaching Residency program begin?
The 2024-25 KIPP Metro Atlanta Teaching Residency year will likely begin between June and July when Residents will be required to attend, a virtual two-week summer session. Residents can expect to begin their school-specific summer training and professional development in mid-July until the school year begins in early August.
How long is the KIPP Metro Atlanta Teaching Residency program?
The residency is a two-year program, followed by an additional two-year commitment to teaching at KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools.
Will I be a full-time teacher my first year?
You will be a full-time employee, but will not be a lead teacher in your first year. You will share a classroom with a strong, experienced teacher who will gradually give you more teaching responsibilities in the classroom over the course of the year. In your second year, you will be the lead teacher of record in your own classroom.
Does the KIPP Metro Atlanta Teaching Residency offer a salary and benefits package?
Residents will be provided with a competitive salary and benefits package through KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools during their residency year and by the school where they will serve as a lead teacher during their second year.
Does the KIPP Metro Atlanta Teaching Residency train residents in all grade levels and all subject areas?
The KIPP Metro Atlanta Teaching Residency priority for the first cohort is to train and place teachers in Elementary, Secondary Math, Secondary Science, Secondary English Language Arts, Primary Special Education, and Secondary Special Education classrooms.
Selection Process
How does the residency selection process work?
All interested candidates must complete and submit the online application. Applicants will then either be invited to participate in an initial interview or will be notified that their application has been declined. All applicants who pass the initial interview will be invited to an in-person interview during which they will meet with representatives from KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools. Candidates are typically notified of their final status within two weeks of their in-person interview.
I currently live out of state. Does KIPP provide travel reimbursement for the interview day?
If you are invited to the in-person interview day and currently live outside of Georgia, KIPP will provide up to $500 in reimbursements for qualified travel expenses. Additional information will be provided prior to the interview day.
If I am already a teacher, can I apply for the residency program?
The residency is designed for aspiring teachers who do not have any lead teaching experience. If you have been a teacher in your own classroom for a year or longer, you are not eligible for this program. If you have student teaching, tutoring, or substitute teaching experience (or did not complete a full year as a lead teacher), you are still qualified for the residency.
Resident Placement
How are residents placed?
Residents may be placed at any KIPP Metro Atlanta school in a K-4th grade classroom, or in a secondary math, English, science, or special education classroom. Placements are determined by school need, resident advisor availability, and resident preferences. Priority for placement preferences (content, grade level, and location) will be given to those who apply by the earlier deadlines. The earlier you apply, the more likely you are to receive a placement in your preferred content and grade level.
When will I know my placement?
Once you accept your offer, you will be given a high-level placement (primary, middle, or high school content area). Residents will be notified of their specific school, grade level, and subject placements in late May or early June.
As a second-year Resident, will I be placed in a KIPP Metro Atlanta school?
Second-year placements will be based on school needs and Residents will undergo the hiring match process in late spring at a KIPP Metro Atlanta school.
Other
Are relocation stipends provided for the KIPP Metro Atlanta Teaching Residency?
KIPP Metro Atlanta does not provide relocation stipends for the Metro Atlanta Teaching Residency.
If I receive an offer with the KIPP Metro Atlanta Teaching Residency, when do I need to accept my offer?
We typically ask our candidates to accept or decline their offer within a week of receiving the offer.
I’m currently in a MAT program, can I transfer my credits?
Graduate students in the Relay Graduate School of Education’s Master of Arts in Teaching program follow an intentionally designed, spiraled curriculum that addresses the needs of beginning teachers in concert with the Residency experience. Relay does not accept transfer credit from other institutions.