National Center For Teacher Residencies

Strong Schools Begin with Strong Teacher Preparation

We partner with you to strategize on opportunities to support the recruitment, quality preparation, and retention of teachers for a lasting positive impact on schools, communities, and, most importantly, students.

Kanetha Lyke is a teacher resident at the Chicago Public Schools Teacher Residency program. This picture was taken at Powell Elementary School.

What we do

Helping Education Partners Build Stronger Teacher Preparation Pathways

Founded in 2007, the National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR) provides evidence-based consulting services to organizations seeking to improve their educator preparation pathway.

Through partnerships with school districts, charter management organizations, nonprofits, state education agencies, colleges and universities, teacher unions, community organizations, and state apprenticeship agencies, we deliver evidence-based technical assistance that strengthens schools and the teaching workforce.

Design and Launch New Programs

NCTR helps partners build residency and apprenticeship pathways that prepare educators for success.

Strengthen Existing Programs

Improve program quality, sustainability, and long-term outcomes with support tailored to your current residency model.

Reduce Barriers To Entry

We aspire to increase student access to well-prepared teachers who reflect the communities they serve.

Align the Teacher Workforce Ecosystem

NCTR engages cross-system stakeholders to examine, modify, and implement evidence-based practices and approaches to address teacher shortages, quality, and retention.

Empower Mentor Teachers

We aim to develop and strengthen mentor teachers’ abilities to support their professional development and the teacher candidates they mentor to be effective teachers for their students.

Advance a Specific Priority

Tailored consulting provides technical assistance to organizations interested in improving any aspect of the teacher development continuum.

Impact & Results

High-Quality Teacher Preparation Programs are Designed for Long-Term Impact

Since 2007, NCTR has launched or supported more than 175 programs that prepare educators for the communities they serve.

Launched or Supported

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Teacher residency and registered apprenticeship programs launched or supported by NCTR since 2007.

Teacher Retention

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Graduates remain in classrooms at strong rates.

Teachers Prepared

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Aspiring teachers prepared by programs in NCTR’s Network since 2007

Students Taught

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More than 2.2 million students have been taught by teachers who completed a NCTR Network program. (cumulatively)

Testimonials

Preparing Teachers: Voices from the Field

One of our main goals in being part of the NCTR Network this year was to sustain and strengthen our teacher residency program during a time of uncertainty… With the support of our NCTR consultant, we were able to think through those challenges and develop solutions that allowed the teacher residency to move forward. Their guidance helped us look at the situation from different angles, identify possible paths forward, and make decisions that supported the continuation of the program.

NCTR Network Member

2025-2026

Our primary goal for the year was to launch an apprenticeship program. We found the Design Academy to be highly beneficial, as it enabled effective collaboration with multiple stakeholders and supported strong productivity throughout the process. Our first cohort of apprentices just finished year one of the three-year program we designed with the help of NCTR.

NCTR Design Academy Participant

2025-2026

Being a BEI grantee this past year has had a significant impact on our teacher residency program and the support we’ve been able to provide residents. The funding helped us reduce some of the financial barriers associated with pursuing a master’s degree and certification, allowing teacher residents to focus more deeply on their development and classroom practice. Through BEI funding, we were able to provide resident stipends, strengthen programming across our residency model, and host meaningful professional development experiences throughout the year.

NCTR Boundless Educators Initiative Grantee

2025-2026

Who We Support

Support for Every Partner in the Teacher Workforce Ecosystem

NCTR works with partners across the country to build, improve, and sustain teacher residency and registered apprenticeship programs.

School Districts & CMOs

We partner with districts to build and sustain teacher residency programs that address teacher shortages, improve preparation, and increase long-term retention—especially in high-need schools.

Existing Teacher Preparation Programs

We provide services that support the sustainability of existing teacher preparation programs.

Colleges & Universities

We help colleges and universities align coursework, clinical practice, and partnerships with school districts to deliver high-quality, sustainable teacher preparation programs.

State Education Agencies & Policymakers

We support states in advancing policies and funding models that scale teacher residencies as a workforce strategy—grounded in evidence and equity.

Philanthropic Partners

Your investment helps communities prepare effective teachers who stay—and ensures students in high-need schools have access to excellent educators.

Why Work With Us

A Partner for Strategy, Technical Assistance, and Long-Term Impact

Many organizations offer consulting to develop a strategy. Others offer technical assistance. We provide both — from early visioning and stakeholder alignment to implementation, funding strategy, continuous improvement, and long-term sustainability.

We help shape the field. Our team brings hands-on experience, research-based standards, and a national perspective that connects local implementation to broader policy and workforce strategy.

Proven Experience

We have nearly 20 years of experience in designing, launching, scaling, and sustaining high-quality teacher preparation programs.

National Network

Get connected to 75+ programs we work with through our Design Academy and Network

Strategic Support

We offer technical assistance and strategy to programs from early visioning to alignment to implementation and long-term sustainability.

Field-Shaping Impact

We are shaping the field with our research-based design principles and standards that connect local implementation to broader policy and workforce strategy.

Building the Future of Teaching

While NCTR does not directly prepare teachers in the same way as the programs we support, we serve as a national catalyst that:

Strengthens the sustainability, scalability, and long-term growth of existing programs

Leads rigorous program evaluation through strategic data collection, analysis, and continuous improvement

Delivers high-quality, practice-based professional learning for mentor teachers

Partners with school districts, state education agencies, and stakeholders to align policy, funding, and strategy—ensuring coherent, effective teacher preparation systems

Advances bold education policy and advocacy in partnership with state leaders and programs

RESEARCH & RESOURCES

Insights for Stronger Teacher Residencies

Explore stories, updates, research, and policy insights that support stronger teacher preparation and residency program design.

Press Release

November 3, 2026

NCTR Partners with CSCU to Advance Sustainable Teacher Preparation in Connecticut

November 4, 2026 — The National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR) is partnering with Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) […]

News

November 3, 2026

Strengthening Georgia’s Teacher Preparation Ecosystem Through Mentor Learning

November 4, 2026 — On October 23, NCTR’s Director of Programs Elizabeth Hearn, Associate Director of Programs Jeremy Scott, and […]

BlogNews

November 3, 2026

NCTR Works to Build the Conditions of Teacher Retention

November 4, 2026 — Preparing great teachers is only the beginning. Keeping them in the profession takes intentional investment, meaningful […]

READY TO GET STARTED?

Strengthen Teacher Preparation in Your Community

Connect with NCTR to explore how we can support your local and even statewide teaching workforce goals.