Residency program trains individuals for middle school math, science

Ten individuals began their careers as middle school math and science teachers in the fall of 2022 after graduating from the Central Louisiana Instructional Partnership, a paid teacher residency program administered by The Orchard Foundation. They were recognized at a graduation and pinning ceremony at Northwestern State University in December.

The goal of the CLIP project is to improve student achievement in nine rural, high-needs school districts in Central Louisiana by preparing highly qualified educators to teach in the critical shortage areas of science and math.

Applicants selected for the CLIP program complete a 15-month accelerated graduate program of study culminating in a Master of Arts in teaching degree from Northwestern State University and a professional teaching certification. CLIP residents receive a stipend to cover the expense of tuition, as well as an annual stipend of $36,000 during their residency.

While completing their graduate coursework, CLIP residents work alongside a trained and experienced mentor teacher throughout the academic year in a high-needs middle school identified by the nine partner public school districts. When they complete the program, graduates are placed in a school where they receive two years of support with an induction coach. CLIP graduates agree to teach in high-needs middle schools for at least three years following graduation.

2022 CLIP graduates and their areas of certification are:

• Reagan Isman, Allen Parish, Science.
• Alyssa Sumbler, Allen Parish, Science.
• Shante Williams, Grant Parish, Math.
• Latoya Hayes, Natchitoches Parish, Science.
• Amber Raggio, Natchitoches Parish, Science.
• Brooke Warren, Natchitoches Parish, Math.
• Julia Jones, Rapides Parish, Science.
• Whitney Stewart, Rapides Parish, Science.
• Pauline Love, Vernon Parish, Science.
• Patricia Gunter, LaSalle Parish, Science.

CLIP is funded by a $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Quality Partnership Program, plus $8 million in-kind matched funding from project partners. The Orchard Foundation, the education arm of The Rapides Foundation, serves as the lead organization for CLIP. Project partners include the nine Central Louisiana school districts; NSU’s Gallaspy College of Education & Human Development and College of Business & Technology-Computer Information Systems; Urban Learning & Leadership Center; EvalWorks; and The Rapides Foundation.

The recent graduates were members of the third CLIP cohort. Members of the fourth and final cohort will graduate in 2023.