Texas State University students surprised with $20,000 stipends from Texas Education Agency and Lockhart ISD for teacher residency program

Inside TXST

Sandy Pantlik | January 18, 2022

group of student teachers holding large checks

Texas State University students participating in the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) approved teacher residency program at Lockhart ISD were surprised with $20,000 annual stipends awarded during a special event on Jan. 18 at Clear Fork Elementary.

The stipends, in the form of oversized checks, were presented to a cohort of 17 Texas State students who are embedded in Lockhart ISD for a full year, working with mentor teachers and engaging with students. The funds are meant to support the students financially while they are working in the residency program.

TEA, through Lockhart ISD, will fund the 17 Texas State teacher residents assigned this year to Lockhart ISD, and 20 students per year in the next two years. Texas State was named a TEA approved/vetted teacher residency program following a rigorous application process. Lockhart ISD applied to TEA for the funds and to work with Texas State.

"Lockhart ISD is proud of its valuable partnership with Texas State University and the impact our shared investment in teachers has made for student success," said Superintendent Mark Estrada. "These $20,000 stipends, funded by Texas Education Agency, will make such a tremendous difference for these high-quality teacher residents so they can focus on teaching and learning during their residency with us."

“It’s very encouraging to see this highly collaborative partnership in which Lockhart ISD, Texas State University and the Texas Education Agency are all coming together to provide the highest quality teacher education and to support our aspiring teachers,” said Michael O’Malley, dean of the College of Education at Texas State. “Our future teachers are talented and committed, and this innovative teacher residency helps ensure they will be fully ready for day one as full-time classroom teachers.”

A high-quality teacher residency model is one in which a teacher candidate is paired with an experienced, highly effective mentor teacher for a full-year of clinical training and co-teaching in a K-12 classroom. Residencies take place at the undergraduate and post-baccalaureate level. In some cases, residents receive a stipend during the year-long residency. In high-quality teacher residency models, the university and school district have shared ownership over the preparation, support and success of the teacher.

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Founded in 1899, Texas State University is among the largest universities in Texas with an enrollment of 37,910 students on campuses in San Marcos and Round Rock. Texas State’s 214,000-plus alumni are a powerful force in serving the economic workforce needs of Texas and throughout the world.

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Jayme Blaschke, 512-245-2555

Sandy Pantlik, 512-245-2922