FAQs Teacher in Residence
Answer: To be eligible for sponsorship of an Arizona Alternative Teaching Certificate by Rio Salado College, a teacher candidate must meet the following requirements:
- Have a confirmed bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Have a full-time contract as the teacher of record by a school district, charter school, or eligible private school.
- Pass the appropriate Arizona subject knowledge exam (AEPA/NES) for the content area in which they will teach. Special Education candidates do not need to pass an NES Subject Knowledge exam.
- Possess a valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card.
- Completed Teacher in Residence application - including official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, verification of employment, passing NES Subject Knowledge exam score report, IVP fingerprint clearance card, Biographical information and attendance at a Welcome to EPP Webinar.
Answer: Rio Salado College does not require a passing NES Professional Knowledge exam for program completion. The Arizona Department of Education will require a teacher candidate to meet the Professional Knowledge exam requirement prior to applying for a teaching certificate. Teacher candidates must review the Professional Knowledge exam requirement for their certification area to determine if they need to take the Professional Knowledge exam or if the Arizona Department of Education will accept years of teaching experience.
Further information on these exams and the certification requirements can be found at: https://www.azed.gov/educator-certification/certificates
https://www.aepa.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_WhatTestsDoINeedToTake.html
Answer: No. The Teacher in Residence (TIR) program requires a conferred Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Answer: Rio Salado College offers a state approved program designed to meet the coursework requirements for certification in the state of Arizona in the areas of: Elementary (K-8), Secondary (6-12) and Special Education: Mild to Moderate K-12
Answer: The purpose of Rio Salado College's Teacher in Residence (TIR) Program is to ensure a "highly qualified" certified teacher can be placed in an Arizona classroom.The Teacher in Residence program is also to help individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree become certified teachers while working as paid classroom teachers. The program allows participants to be employed in a school and simultaneously complete the coursework required for Arizona teacher certification
Answer: Arizona Public, Private and Charter Schools are eligible to partner with the Rio Salado College Teacher in Residence Program. Sponsorship of the Alternative Teaching Certificate will only be provided after the teacher candidate has been offered employment as the teacher of record and fully admitted to the Teacher in Residence Program. The teacher candidate should not apply for the Alternative Teaching Certificate until both requirements listed have been met and the letter or enrollment has been issued.
No, but it is preferred. The idea behind this program and the Alternative Teaching Certificate is to build continuity for the teaching candidate and the school district.
Answer: If you cannot complete the Teacher in Residence (TIR) Program within the expected two-year timeframe, you should work closely with the Rio Salado Teacher in Residence Student Support Team and your employing school district to review your options. The key factor is whether you can continue to maintain a valid Arizona Alternative Teaching Certificate.
The Alternative Teaching Certificate:
- Is initially valid for one year. It may be extended annually, but for no more than two consecutive years total.
- A candidate is not eligible to hold the Alternative Teaching Certificate more than once in a 5-year period.
- Requires that you remain enrolled =and make adequate progress each semester.
- Requires that you have a zero balance on your student account so the Student Support Team can complete your enrollment each semester.
Answer: Rio Salado College does not offer a special workshop for the NES exams.
You may find the following resources helpful:
https://www.aepa.nesinc.com/PageView.aspx?f=GEN_PreparationMaterials.html
https://www.riosalado.edu/start-rio/teacher-education/nes-exam-resources
Answer: The student will pay current Governing Board approved registration fee and tuition per credit hour, any additional course and student teaching fees. Tuition fees can be found at https://www.riosalado.edu/student-resources/student-business-services/tuition-and-fees
Answer: Please see current program plans for the Teacher in Residence Program.
Answer: Financial aid can help eligible students pay for college costs such as tuition, fees, books and supplies. Please note, Rio Salado College's Post-Baccalaureate Programs are no longer Pell eligible. For more information:
https://www.riosalado.edu/student-resources/financial-aid
Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation: https://www.mcccdf.org/
Answer: Rio Salado College can partner with all Arizona schools/districts for the Teacher in Residence Program. If your school district would like more information on how to sponsor candidates for an Alternative Teaching Certificate, please have them call us at (480) 517-8140 or email us at [email protected].
