The Oklahoma Resident Teacher Program
East Central University participates in the resident teacher program and provides leadership by initiating committee schedules, keeping records of travel, meetings and observations and filing annual reports with the appropriate state agencies associated with this effort. ECU faculty serve as team members and the university maintains communications with the Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma State Regents for higher Education.
Packets of information for the Resident Teacher program can be downloaded form the Oklahoma State Department of Education website. The following information is from the Oklahoma State Department of Education link (http://www.sde.state.ok.us/pro/resident.html):
The Resident Teacher Program was initially implemented as a result of the Teacher Reform Act of 1980 (House Bill 1706). Every teacher with zero years of teaching experience shall participate in the Resident Teacher Program during his/her initial year of teaching in an accredited school. The initial year of teaching must be under the guidance and assistance of a resident teacher committee in order to qualify for an Oklahoma teaching certificate.
The intent of legislation is to establish qualification of teachers in the accredited schools of this state through licensing and certification requirements to ensure that the education of the children of Oklahoma will be provided by teachers of demonstrated ability.
The Resident Teacher Program has at its core a three-member committee composed of a mentor teacher, a school administrator, and a faculty member for higher education. Each committee works closely with the resident teacher to evaluate, advise, counsel, and support the teacher during the first year of teaching. After the first committee meeting a Form 002 listing the committee members is mailed to the State Department of Education.
At the end of the initial year of teaching, the committee must make a recommendation for certification or an additional year in the program by mailing a Form 003 to the State Department of Education.
The mentor teacher must hold a standard certificate and have two years of classroom teaching experience.
The mentor teacher must also provide 72 hours of consultation time for which he/she may receive a stipend not to exceed $500. (70 O.S. 6-106.1)
If you have questions about the Resident Teacher Program, contact the Dean's office at East Central University or the Oklahoma State Department of Education Resident Teacher/Professional Development office.