San Diego Teacher Residency

Teach to Transform

Are you ready to embark on a purpose-driven teaching career in California K-12 schools? Pursue your California Preliminary Teaching Credential and Master’s degree in Teaching & Learning through San Diego Teacher Residency (SDTR) and join us in transforming public school classrooms, one teacher at a time.

what sets us apart

Learn to Teach for Equity and Justice

$35,000 Stipend

Take advantage of up to $35,000 available in living stipends for first-year students who commit to teaching within the HTH K-12 network (or another California school ) for 4+ years.

55% BIPOC

SDTR strives to diversify the teaching profession with nearly 55% of teaching residents identifying as people of color—3x the national average!

900 Hours

Teaching residents gain 900+ hours of classroom experience in one of the 16 High Tech High K-12 schools during the first year—more than 1.5 times the average teaching credential program.

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Earn a California Preliminary Teaching Credential and Master’s Degree in Teaching & Learning in a two-year program.

Our residency program develops teachers who prioritize social justice, equity, and inclusive practices, creating classrooms where all students can grow as curious, critical, and creative individuals. We cultivate a strong community of support for both teachers and students, with a team of cooperating teachers, supervisors, and program staff who foster culturally sustaining mentorship. By prioritizing student-centered, anti-racist, and anti-bias pedagogies, we ensure that deeper learning guides every resident’s journey, helping them and their students thrive in meaningful and authentic educational experiences.

year 1

The Residency Year (Credential + Master’s Courses)

SDTR residents take courses with their cohort while spending four days a week as student teachers at one of High Tech High’s 16 K-12 schools. This mentorship allows them to work closely with a veteran teacher and gain valuable classroom experience. They meet one day and evening each week at the graduate school for coursework, peer collaboration, and intensive support from expert faculty. They also receive individualized coaching from a supervisor to support their career growth. Residents earn their California Preliminary Teaching Credential at the end of the first year and receive guidance in applying for teaching positions.

year 2

Complete Master’s Courses

The second year of SDTR provides critical support as candidates transition into their teaching careers. While working full-time in an educational setting, residents return to the graduate school one evening per week to complete their M.Ed. in Teaching and Learning. Using improvement science and lesson study design, students build on their first-year experiences and address challenges in their classrooms, work that culminates in a capstone project.

Alumni Outcomes

90% of alumni are employed as teachers.

School Leadership

School Principal/Director, Assistant Principal/Dean, Instructional Coach, Teacher Leader.

School District & CMO leadership

Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Program Manager, Program Director, Executive Director of Professional Development, Chief of Staff, Chief Operations Officer, Director of DEI

National Education Non-Profit

Executive Director, Deputy Director, Education Director, Managing Partner

Over 85% of alumni hold roles within schools as directors, principals, deans, or teacher-leaders. While about 60% of our alumni have plans to immediately pursue leadership roles, many are simply interested in deepening their teaching, pedagogy, and leadership skills in their districts.

1-on-1 Call

Meet with our Admissions Manager to discuss program details, application preparation, and personal questions.

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Information Session

Join a live virtual session to dive into program details, hear from our Directors, Admissions and our student panel.

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EXPLORE MORE

Dig into the Program Details

Read more about our application process, enrollment requirements, program costs, and curriculum.

We are now accepting applications for our Fall 2026 cohort. Please take a moment to review our application guide for more information about our Admissions process, and submit your materials by our priority deadline November 30.

Available Aid

LIVING STIPEND:
SDTR candidates may apply for $35,000 in living stipend funding with payments disbursed monthly for the residency year thanks to a state grant aimed at supporting one of two separate aims:

Workforce diversification efforts of the HTH K-12 network*
Training and support of STEM educators prepared to teach in PBL spaces.

*For this purpose, diversity includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, and status as a first-generation college graduate.

DETAILS:

Pay $15,000 tuition
Receive a $35,000 living stipend
Consider applying for federal financial aid to cover tuition & help with expenses
Apply for federal financial aid to cover tuition and help with expenses (optional)

GRANT REQUIREMENTS:

Complete the residency year at one of HTH’s 16 K-12 schools
Commit to prioritize being hired in the HTH K-12 network.
Commit to teaching at least 4 of the next 8 years in a California public school.

APPLICATION:

Approximately 30 candidates per year will be awarded this grant.
Candidates who would like to be considered for this grant must submit an additional essay during the application process.

This program is designed to prepare California K-12 public school teachers. The requirements listed below are in compliance with the state education code and are in alignment with HTH GSE’s commitment to preparing high quality educators. In order to matriculate into the program, candidates will need to fulfill several prerequisites, including:

Bachelor’s degree
1. Earned BA/BS from a regionally accredited university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 are encouraged to include an explanation of their academic qualifications within the initial application form.

Candidates must hold a conferred undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution to begin our program. Candidates who are in their senior year of college may also apply.

2.Subject Matter Competency

If you are admitted, SDTR will require proof of passage for all required CSET Subtests by May 1, 2026.
Candidates must provide evidence of having:

Passed the California Subjects Examination for Teachers (CSET)
Successfully completed a Commission-approved Subject Matter Preparation Program
Successfully completed coursework at one or more regionally accredited institutions of higher education that addresses each of the domains of the subject matter requirement
Successfully completed a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with the following as applicable:
- For Single Subject credentials, a major aligned to the credential sought
- For Multiple Subjects credentials, a liberal studies, liberal arts, interdisciplinary studies, or elementary education major

*please review our CSET FAQ flyer for additional information and resources

3.Fingerprint Clearance

Candidates must hold a valid CTC issued Certificate of Clearance or Substitute Teaching Permit

4.Proof of Negative Tuberculosis

SDTR residents complete a 30-unit degree program that includes course-taking, clinical fieldwork, and the submission of a capstone Master’s Project featuring three cycles of lesson study. This is a cohort-based program by design. A sampling of coursework is as follows: Equity I: Self Schools, and Society; Foundations of Classroom Culture; Foundations of Student-Centered Teaching; Foundations of English Language Development; Inclusive Classrooms; Instruction and Assessment in the Disciplines; Foundations of Reading Instruction; Equity II: Culturally Responsive Pedagogy; Equity III: Critical Pedagogy; Design for Deeper Learning; and Inquiry into Practice.

SDTR is a participant in EdPrepLab, co-sponsored by Bank Street College and the Learning Policy Institute.