�ǿմ�ý

Saint Mary’s College Kalmanovitz School of Education (KSOE) and Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) are proud to announce a partnership to implement an innovative Teacher Residency Program. This collaborative initiative is designed to make earning a teaching credential more affordable and accessible while addressing critical teacher shortages.

MDUSD received a Teacher Residency Grant through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing that provides each teacher resident with a stipend to help offset tuition costs. This financial support makes the pathway to teaching significantly more accessible for aspiring educators who might otherwise face cost barriers.

“We are excited about the opportunity to increase the resources and options available to future educators while also maintaining our focus on improving quality instruction and high expectations for all of our students,” states Dr. Wendi Aghily, Chief, Pupil Services and Special Education for MDUSD. “This is an investment in the future that can have ripple effects for years to come.”

Integrating Coursework and In-Classroom Student Teaching

The program integrates a full year of coursework on the Saint Mary's campus with concurrent in-classroom student teaching under the guidance of experienced MDUSD mentor teachers. This integrated approach ensures that theoretical knowledge is applied in real classroom settings, enhancing the relevance and effectiveness of the resident teachers’ education while providing valuable support to MDUSD students.

Dr. S. Marshall Perry, KSOE Interim Dean, highlights the educational excellence at the core of the program. “The partnership with Mt. Diablo exemplifies our Lasallian commitment to providing transformative education that prepares teachers for the complex realities of today's classrooms,” Perry says. “Our distinctive curriculum, combined with an immersive classroom experience, ensures that teacher residents develop not only subject matter expertise but also the cultural competency, adaptive teaching skills, and reflective practice essential for educating the whole person.”

Upon successful completion of the program, residents will earn a California preliminary single-subject (math or science) or multiple-subject teaching credential, with an option to add a Bilingual Spanish Authorization certificate. 

Additional benefits include:

• Tuition stipend
• Individualized mentorship
• Guaranteed substitute teaching opportunities
• Priority consideration for teaching positions within MDUSD

The program demonstrates both institutions’ commitment to increasing teacher diversity to better represent the communities they serve. By creating more accessible pathways to teaching credentials, the partnership aims to develop a teacher workforce that brings diverse perspectives and cultural competencies to the classroom and community.

Those interested in learning more about the program are invited to attend an online MDUSD Residency Information Session on April 16, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.  for this online information session. 

Additional information about the program, including how to apply, can be found here. 

Questions about the MDUSD Teacher Residency Program can be directed to Saint Mary's KSOE �ǿմ�ý team at ksoeapply@stmarys-ca.edu or (925) 631-4700.

�ǿմ�ý Saint Mary's Teacher Education Program at Kalmanovitz School of Education

The Kalmanovitz School of Education at Saint Mary's College of California is dedicated to preparing education professionals for lives of service and leadership. Guided by Lasallian values of faith, service, and community, the teaching program emphasizes inclusive excellence, social justice, and transformative education. These Lasallian principles inform a curriculum that fosters concern for the poor and social justice, respect for all persons, quality education, and an inclusive community. With a strong emphasis on equity in education, the school offers comprehensive programs that blend theoretical knowledge with practical, hands-on experience. The Kalmanovitz School of Education is accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and is known for its innovative approaches to teacher preparation that respond to the evolving needs of diverse students, families, and communities.

�ǿմ�ý Mt. Diablo Unified School District

Mt. Diablo Unified School District serves approximately 30,000 students at over 50 school sites in the communities of Concord, Pleasant Hill, Clayton, Bay Point, Pittsburg, and parts of Walnut Creek, Martinez, and Lafayette. MDUSD is committed to ensuring high-quality education for all students and providing innovative programs that prepare them for success in college, career, and life.