Focusing on diversifying the teaching workforce, CEHD has partnered with Minneapolis Public Schools, the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers, and the Education Support Professionals Local 59 to create a program for applicants who are currently working in the schools in support roles. The new Minneapolis Residency Program (MRP) is an elementary education licensure pathway that includes a co-teaching model, pairing residents with experienced master teachers; two intensive summer programs; and other intensive cohort instruction.

The program’s inaugural cohort is made up of 25 individuals, 76 percent residents of color, selected from an initial pool of more than 100 applicants. A major gift from the Bentson Foundation supported this first cohort of students.

MRP is just one of the multiple pathways CEHD has developed to help overcome alarming teacher shortages in many areas and to diversify the teacher workforce, all part of addressing gaps in student opportunities and achievement. Educating the next generation of teachers is at the core of CEHD’s mission.

“We have developed a model program for our multiple pathways to becoming a teacher,” said Deborah Dillon, associate dean for graduate and professional programs. “It is focused on recruiting and preparing excellent educators, supporting them throughout their preparation process, and working with school partners to place our students in excellent jobs where they can be successful.”

Read more on MRP and CEHD’s teacher education programs in Connect magazine and MinnPost.