What's Happening in Fairfield, CT…

An anonymous benefactor has awarded $240,000 to the School of Education and Human Development of Fairfield University to fund the development of a Special Education Teacher Residency Program.

This is a residency program that will train, recruit, mentor, and certify the next generation of special educators within the districts that support grades kindergarten through 12. Twenty-five percent of the grant, or $60,000, will be contributed by Fairfield University to provide the initiative with additional funding.

The program will enable students to earn both initial teacher certification in special education and a master’s degree. Students in the program also need to commit to teaching in their districts for three academic years after completing program.

The grant will enable a director to be hired to manage program development and planning and to be used for stipends for mentor teachers and for the design of curricula that include best practices for teaching those in grades kindergarten through 12.

Brochure printing can be used to provide more details about such programs, the application process, and their benefits for students.

Certification officer, senior assistant dean and, and director of Secondary Education, Laura Whitacre, said that this grant will enable the school to work with the school districts who are their partners to develop a residency program for teachers that prepares future special education teachers through mentored and immersive clinical experiences alongside educators who are experienced.