Residency Logo

“There is nothing that compares to the past student teachers I’ve had. Each of the students I had previously didn’t get the experience that my yearlong student resident teacher had. I honestly believe that this should be the new student teacher requirement. This will either show students who wish to be educators if they really want to be in this profession because they get to experience everything with support of a teacher-leader.”

- Teacher-Leader

“[I] really feel like this is better than the standard student teaching because you get to not have to cram all the information [in 12 weeks]… [you] get the whole schools year. [I] manage behaviors and look out for students, build relationships and learn how to interact with parents. [I] have a helper in the room all of the time.”

- Resident

 

Teacher Residency Cohort Group Photo

 

The Montana Teacher Residency Program (MTRP) is a year-long student teaching opportunity for higher-education students in Montana seeking initial teacher licensure. Since launching in 2022, this Program helps prepare aspiring teachers to best serve their students through an opportunity to connect theory to practice and gain the skills of highly effective practitioners who will be ready on day one to successfully lead their own classrooms. In addition to giving Residents a more in-depth experience, the MTRP was designed with the goal of incentivizing teaching in a wider range of communities across the state and increasing long-term teacher retention by working with rural and understaffed districts.

Residents begin with an in-person orientation in August, then enter a yearlong, mentored student teaching under the guidance of a Teacher Leader. During the year, Residents engage in learning labs sponsored by the Office of Public Instruction while simultaneously completing their remaining coursework to earn an education degree from their educator preparation program. In exchange for committing to teach in a Montana public school district for three years, Residents receive a monthly stipend, tuition support, and district-provided housing assistance.

The Montana Teacher Residency Program is the first of its kind in the state, co-developed by representatives from the Montana University System, the Office of Public Instruction, school districts, the Montana School Boards Association, legislators, and residency model experts from Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. 

 

 

 

If you would like to join the MTRP or connect with the Teacher Residency Coordinator to learn more, please scan the QR code on the right, or click the link below:

 

Residency Form

QRCode for The Montana Teacher Residency Program


Learn More

 


Important MTRP Dates for 2025/26

 

Teacher Residency Orientation

August 7, 2025 - In-person, Bozeman

 

Resident Learning Labs

Dates TBD

 

Teacher Leader Professional Development

Dates TBD

 

Teacher Residency Final Gathering

Dates TBD

 


Resident Placements

 

2022-2023 Teacher Residency Map

Teacher Residency Map 2023-2024

Teacher Residency Map 2023-2024


A big shout out to Representative Brad Barker who sponsored HB 833, supporting teacher recruitment and retention in the state of Montana!

Representative Brad Barker Headshot

 

Since fiscal year 2025, the Montana State Legislature supplies funding through MCA 20-4-702. For more information on MCA 20-4-702, please visit the official Montana Legislature website.


Positive Testimonials

Teacher Leader Testimonials

Resident Testimonials

 

 

Teacher Residency Roles Graphic

 

 


The MTRP staff are here to help:

Kirsten Minnick, Teacher Residency Program Coordinator, 406 683-7327

Krystal Smith, Operations Manager, 406-249-0758

 

Meet the Teacher Residency Staff