Summary

The BUFF Teacher Resident (TR) is a student teacher who participates in a year-long clinical experience under the guidance of a highly effective Host Teacher (HT). A Teacher Resident observes, practices, and learns on the job in preparation for a teaching career while earning a degree (typically a bachelor’s, but in some cases a master’s) and/or certification from West Texas A&M University. For a full school year, full-time, the TR works alongside the HT. Teacher Residents are actively engaged in as many elements of the classroom as possible from the very beginning of the residency year. The TR will participate in co-teaching models that increase in variety and complexity throughout the experience. Compensated roles must not compromise learning goals for future teachers. This specific year-long experience is designed for TR’s to be working in a PK-12 classroom setting to develop their knowledge and skills for working with students.

Typical Responsibilities

Typical responsibilities include learning while:

Co-planning and co-teaching with Host Teacher and other team members, leading small group instruction, leading whole group instruction without the HT present (with planning support from HT).
Attending professional development prior to the start of the school year and on-going throughout the school year.
Participating in team planning, Professional Learning Communities, school-based professional development, campus faculty meetings, parent and family conferences, and meetings with their Site Coordinator (SC).
Working with the HT to monitor and improve instruction with formative and summative assessments, grading, data analysis, and rubrics to identify next steps.
Adapting and improving age appropriate high-standards, differentiation-ready lesson plans that motivate strong student learning, after learning to deliver such lessons prepared by the Host Teacher and/or experienced team members.
Managing procedures, supervising students, and developing students’ social-emotional skills during transitions, lunch, recess, assemblies, and other activities, and while team teachers plan or deliver instruction.
Embracing feedback from Host Teacher and the Site Coordinator before, during, and after informal and formal observations.
Taking responsibility for other non-instructional duties as assigned by the Host Teacher.

Responsibilities

(while learning from Host Teacher and collaborating with team; may vary)

Classroom and School Environment—Yearlong

Identify and address individual students’ social, emotional, and behavioral learning needs and barriers
Hold students accountable for age-appropriate, measurable, high expectations of behavior and engagement
Contribute to a culture of respect, enthusiasm, and rapport
Manage student behavior during transitions and less structured time (such as recess, lunch)
Lead or assist with independent work time in classroom while teacher provides instruction
Identify and suggest ways to engage students in a physical/virtual classroom that may include technology

Planning and Preparation—Progressively Doing More

Co-Plan with Host Teacher and team
Coordinate with Host Teacher to support a high-standards, differentiated curriculum
Plan backward to align all lessons, activities, and assessments with high-expectation standards & age-appropriate curriculum
Implement and suggest improvements to instruction that develop higher-order thinking skills and is personalized, reflecting the levels and interests of individual students
Implement and suggest improvements to assessments that accurately assess student progress

Instruction—Progressively Doing More

Provide small-group instruction under the direction and using tools/rubrics of theHost Teacher and team
Supervise student skills practice, and projects
Co-Teach with Host Teacher
Lead age-appropriate whole-group instruction
Participate in instructional planning, data review, and improvement during the year
Assist with independent work time

Professional Responsibilities

Solicit and willingly receive feedback from Host Teacher, campus administrators, Site Coordinator, and team members to improve professional skills
Meet with Host Teacher to ensure alignment of instructional vision and delivery in all classrooms and to troubleshoot students’ persistent learning challenges
Collaborate with other grade-level team members
Participate in professional development opportunities at school

Qualifications

Enrolled in the West Texas A&M University Educator Preparation Program, working towards a teaching certificate
3.0 Overall GPA and 3.25 GPA for pedagogy courses
Exam eligible or passed by 1/31/2026
STR exam completed by end of August
If the Resident does not pass the STR exam on their first attempt, remediation will be required before the second attempt.
The Resident must take their second attempt of the STR exam by Nov. 1.
If their second attempt for the STR exam is not successful, a collaborative decision will be made by the EPP and the school district regarding the Resident remaining in the program with continued STR remediation.
Strong work ethic, open to feedback, with willingness to implement next steps, and a belief that all students can achieve.
Demonstrated effectiveness working with people who have differing cultural backgrounds and/or personal characteristics.
Knowledge of subject matter being taught

Hours

Teacher Residents will be present during teacher contract hours based on campus expectations and dates set by the district calendar. The district calendar will be provided during the residency orientation.

Semester 1: 4 days per week must equal 21 hours with days and times approved by the Site Coordinator, Host Teacher, and Campus Administrator (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) 3 days in classroom with HT and sub on Friday after Pop Cycle 1 for the HT, then the grade level, then the campus.
Semester 2: 5 days per week (M-F) Can sub on Fridays. If HT is out(or another teacher on that grade level team), then RT can sub an additional day for the HT(or another teacher on that grade level team)
If no sub job, the RT is still expected to be on campus helping the HT and continue to gain experience in the classroom.
Teacher Residents will follow district policy regarding personal and sick leave and with regards to TAC 228.65.

Resident Teacher - WTAMU