Eligibility & Benefits

Teach with purpose. Thrive with Support.

Through tuition assistance, living stipends, healthcare benefits, expert mentorship, and ongoing professional learning, residents receive the support needed to focus on developing their practice instead of accumulating debt. As a result, 95% of graduates from the Arizona Teacher Residency teach for at least three years in high needs schools in Arizona.

Eligibility

Teacher Residents
The Arizona Teacher Residency Program is open to aspiring teachers. You are eligible to apply if you meet the following criteria:

A bachelor’s degree in any concentration before June
Does not already hold a standard Arizona Elementary Education K-8 Teaching Certificate. Note: A substitute or alternative teaching certificate is not the same as a standard teaching certificate — candidates who hold only one of these are still eligible to apply
Not completed another Arizona teacher certification program funded by the Arizona Teachers Academy
Eligible for employment to work in Arizona schools
- i.e. eligible to work in the U.S., must attain Fingerprint Clearance Card
To be eligible to receive tuition coverage, you must also be eligible for FAFSA for Arizona Teachers Academy
- Basic Eligibility Requirements: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements
- Eligibility for Non U.S. Citizens: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility/requirements/non-us-citizens
To be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps living stipend, you must be:
- be 17 years or older (no upper age limit)
- be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien

Learn more about applying to the program.

Benefits

Teacher Residents

Teacher residents receive comprehensive financial, professional, and academic support designed to help them become successful, long-term educators.

Living stipend during your residency year. Receive financial support while you complete the first year of classroom apprenticeship, allowing you to focus on learning and teaching.
Healthcare coverage during your apprenticeship. Access healthcare benefits throughout your first year, providing additional stability and peace of mind.
Master's degree and teacher certification. Earn a master's degree from Northern Arizona University and complete a high-quality teacher preparation program leading to Arizona teacher certification. Eligible residents may have their tuition covered through the Arizona Teachers Academy.
A full year of classroom apprenticeship. Learn alongside an accomplished Supervising Teacher while gradually building the skills, confidence, and experience needed to become an effective teacher.
Early access to teaching careers. Begin building relationships with partner districts during your residency and transition into full-time teaching positions in your second year.
Expert mentorship and professional coaching. Receive guidance from Supervising Teachers, university faculty, AZ K12 Center staff, and district partners throughout your preparation and early career.
A powerful professional network. Join a community of residents, mentors, instructors, school leaders, and educators committed to your success and growth.
Ongoing support beyond graduation. Continue receiving induction support, coaching, observation, and feedback during your first years as a classroom teacher.
Support for National Board Certification. Build toward advanced professional credentials and leadership opportunities throughout your career.
The opportunity to make a lasting impact. Serve local schools and communities while helping address Arizona's teacher shortage and ensuring more students have access to well-prepared educators.

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Arizona Teacher Residency 4-year schedule

Year 1

Teacher apprenticeship (Mondays-Thursdays during instructional school hours)
Paired with supervising teacher
Coursework (in-person on Fridays and a few online courses)
Apply for alternative teacher certification

Year 2

Teacher of record
Induction support: observation, feedback and coaching from an experienced mentor
Coursework (online)
Receive Master’s degree
Apply for full teaching credential

Year 3

Teacher of record
Induction support: observation, feedback and coaching from an experienced mentor
National board pre-candidacy encouraged
Resident’s continued commitment at partnering district

Year 4

Teacher of record
National board pre-candidacy encouraged
Resident’s continued commitment at partnering district

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ARIZONA TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Ready to take the next step?

Make a difference in the lives of Arizona students by becoming a teacher through AZTR.

Apply Now

I am very happy to be a part of AZTR. It truly feels amazing to know that I am working with a cohort that are willing to put in the work to make a difference in our student's lives. These students need that teacher who will support them 100% and this program is helping shape future educators to be more than just their support, but to be that positive impact that students will remember for the rest of their lives. That is what AZTR is doing, and I couldn't have been any luckier to be a part of the journey!

Hector Campos, Teacher Resident

It’s only been six months, and the AZTR program has already changed my life. In just the first six months, I have already created a foundation that is helping me build a successful and meaningful career in education. I’ve been supported by the program staff, my mentor teacher and the other residents in my cohort. The relationships I’ve made with students feel genuine. While I’m clearly becoming a better educator, I noticed that I’m also becoming a better person while I’m showing up for the youth in my community. We’ve already been trained in restorative justice, trauma-informed practices, disabilities and educational policy. I am so excited to have my own classroom next year, and because of AZTR I feel confident I will be successful and have fun during my first year of teaching and beyond.

Chelsey Mickelson, Teacher Resident

It’s very challenging to work and go to school and be a teacher resident. Having that burden off financially is a big advantage in my learning process.

Aldith McConney, Teacher Resident

Former Substitute Teacher

Frequently Asked Questions: Eligibility & Benefits

Here are some of our most common questions related to the Teacher Residency Program. For a full list of Frequently Asked Questions, please visit our FAQ page.

Most applicants pay almost nothing. It sounds too good to be true, but thanks to many grants and the Arizona Teachers Academy program, we are able to offer all of this to residents in our program. Arizona residents can apply to the Arizona Teachers Academy to cover their master’s degree tuition at NAU.

Residents will be expected to pay for their Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card and expenses for substitute certification and future certifications.

You are eligible to apply for ATA scholarship if you are:

Admitted to NAU as an in-state or out-of-state student,
Enrolled in an NAU ATA eligible degree program such as the degree program(s) offered through the Arizona Teacher Residency,
Eligible for and have a current FAFSA on file with NAU’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA),
Willing to commit to the ATA teaching service commitment (for Arizona Teacher Residency participants, this will include two years of teaching in an Arizona public district, public charter, or Bureau of Indian Education school after you complete the two-year eligible degree program).

Your eligibility for the ATA scholarship will be evaluated by OSFA once your ATA Agreement is received. Your account is evaluated after you are registered for courses for the term and tuition and fee charges have been posted to your account.

An ATA scholarship will disburse to pay any remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other federal, state, and institutional grants and tuition waivers are applied. The ATA scholarship is disbursed approximately 10 days prior to the first day of classes and applied to any remaining tuition and fees charges.