September 9, 2025 — The National Center for Teacher Residencies (NCTR) is awarding $6 million in grants to 43 teacher residency programs as part of NCTR’s Boundless Educators Initiative (BEI) for the 2025-2026 academic year. NCTR’s BEI supports the recruitment, preparation, and retention of educators who reflect the communities they serve throughout the United States, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that students have access to a teacher who is ready on day one to improve student outcomes.
With a philanthropic commitment of $40 million over five years from Ballmer Group, BEI is committed to directing funds to support innovative programming focused on the recruitment, preparation, and the eventual hiring and retention of 2,400 teacher residents toward becoming teachers of record.
“Teacher residency programs are the cornerstone of supporting the teaching workforce across the U.S., and by investing in these programs, we are not only nurturing the next generation of educators but also ensuring a brighter future for students who are taught by these well-prepared educators,” said Keilani M. Goggins, Ed.D., managing director of BEI.
“Teacher residency programs are instrumental in providing aspiring teachers with the skills and support they need to thrive, ultimately strengthening schools and communities,” said NCTR CEO Kathlene H. Campbell, Ph.D. “We are so proud to partner with our programs through NCTR’s Boundless Educators Initiative and look forward to working together to impact teacher residents and the communities they serve.”
Thus far, investments in teacher residents through BEI have resulted in:
- Reducing barriers for aspiring educators to enter and remain in the teaching profession;
- Supporting recruitment pipelines that reflect the communities, predominately served in Title I schools;
- Supporting mentor teachers to provide rigorous clinical preparation and coaching;
- Supporting programs to redesign and implement research-based practices that improve the recruitment, selection, preparation, and support experiences of educators; and
- Improving the teacher residency graduation rates for teacher candidates.
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Alicia Roberson
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