Addressing a critical teacher shortage, UC Riverside has partnered with the San Bernardino City Unified School District to launch a new teacher residency program that fully covers tuition, provides living stipends, and guarantees teaching jobs for successful participants.
The program, which began recruiting students this spring, is open to candidates who already hold a bachelor’s degree. The residency offers an expedited one-year credentialing program coupled with intensive mentoring and financial support. In exchange, participants commit to teach in the San Bernardino school district after completing the program.
“Across California and the nation, we are facing a shortage of qualified teachers, especially in critical areas like special education, duallanguage instruction, math, and science,” said Frances Valdovinos, assistant dean and director of teacher education at UCR’s School of Education. “This partnership gives future teachers an unprecedented level of support while helping San Bernardino schools meet urgent staffing needs.”
Under the program, residents will have their tuition and fees fully paid and will receive a stipend valued at approximately $32,000, which includes both direct financial support and payments to mentor teachers who will guide them through their training. Additionally, every participant is guaranteed a student teaching placement within the district, helping them to gain valuable classroom experience and ease their transition into full-time roles.
Robert Morales, director of human resources for the San Bernardino City Unified School District, said the program could not come at a more crucial time. The district expects to have about 190 teacher retirements and resignations this year alone.
“We are exceptionally proud of this partnership,” Morales said. “We need a pipeline of talented, dedicated teachers who understand our community and are ready to serve it. This residency is a game-changer.”
In addition to covering costs, the program emphasizes close mentorship. Resident teachers will work alongside veteran district teachers—referred to as District Cooperating Teachers—throughout an entire academic year, from the first day of school through the last. This yearlong co-teaching model offers a deeper, more immersive experience than traditional student teaching, with residents participating in professional development days, back-to-school nights, and other key aspects of a teacher’s life.
“Residents will not just observe—they will live the full cycle of a school year,” Morales said. “It’s an investment in real-world preparation.”
The initiative, funded through a grant from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, also supports San Bernardino’s broader goal of diversifying its educator workforce. The district and UCR are actively recruiting candidates who reflect the community’s demographics, including future teachers from underrepresented backgrounds.
“We want students to see themselves in their teachers,” Valdovinos said. “Representation matters, and it strengthens the connection between schools and families.”
The residency is currently recruiting its first cohort, with up to 35 participants expected to start in Summer 2025. Another cohort will follow in 2026, for a total of 70 candidates over the next two years. Students admitted into UCR’s teacher education program are eligible to apply for the residency, and the selection process gives preference to candidates who have ties to the San Bernardino area, whether as residents, graduates, or paraprofessionals currently working in district schools.
“Some of our best future teachers are already part of this community,” Valdovinos said. “This program gives them a clear, supported pathway into the classroom.”
The residency focuses recruitment on candidates aiming to teach in high-need areas, but it not limited to these areas. The goal is not just to meet workforce demands, but to cultivate passionate, committed educators who will stay and thrive in San Bernardino schools, Valdovinos said.
“We’re setting these future teachers up for success—and helping our students get the high-quality education they deserve,” Morales said.
For more information about the residency program or to apply, prospective candidates should contact UCR’s School of Education or visit its website.
