Philadelphia Teacher Residency (PTR) is a teacher preparation program for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) professionals and recent graduates who want to teach math and science in Philadelphia’s high need schools (grades 6-12). PTR is a partnership between the Ed Fund, the School District of Philadelphia (SDP), University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE), and the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT).
For a full school year, program participants (Residents) will learn at the elbow of experienced teachers in Philadelphia secondary school classrooms. At the same time, they will take coursework at the University Of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education to earn both a Master’s Degree as well as Pennsylvania teacher certification.
Residents commit to teach in Philadelphia public schools for at least three years after the residency year of preparation. For the graduated Resident’s first three years as a full-time teacher of record, PTR provides ongoing professional development activities and networking opportunities.
PTR is singularly focused on the thorough preparation of math and science teachers for Philadelphia’s high need, secondary public schools. The first year of solo teaching can be intimidating for any teacher. But by the time Residents begin a school year in their own classroom, they already have a year of experience, a thorough understanding of the challenges that lie ahead, and an ongoing support network.