Deadline to opt into candidate pool for transformative program is March 22, 2024

By Kelly Murphy and Max Dickstein

Wagner College's Graduate Education Program is in the Elite Eight.

The college was selected this month as one of the eight institutions partnering with the New York State Department of Labor for the Empire State Teacher Residency Program. Led by Katia Gonzalez, Ed.D., the program is poised to impact the city’s education landscape significantly.

Under the leadership of Gov. Kathy Hochul, the Empire State Teacher Residency Program aims to enhance the teaching experience by offering a robust stipend and hands-on experience in NYC Public Schools classrooms. Through the New York State Department of Labor, this groundbreaking initiative provides residents with a $30,000 annual stipend while completing 1,000 hours of clinical experience over one school year.

Aspiring teachers should apply to Wagner by May 28 and select the one-year graduate 7-12 Adolescent & Students with Disabilities education program with the residency option. They should also fill out the state program’s Candidate Interest Survey by March 22 to be considered for the stipend. Students currently enrolled at Wagner may also fill out the survey.

Candidates receiving the stipend must commit to a two-year teaching stint in NYC Public Schools following their residency experience. A bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for program participation. Up to 400 New York State applicants will receive the $30,000 stipend, which covers the entirety of Wagner’s one-year graduate 7-12 education program.

“Wagner College is committed to an expedited application review process for this cohort,” Gonzalez said, adding that Wagner will offer waivers for the standard $60 application fee. “Applicants with completed submissions can anticipate a swift response.”

Prospective candidates are encouraged to complete the Empire State Teacher Residency Candidate Interest Survey to express interest and learn more about this exciting opportunity. Professor Gonzalez and Jim Plunkett, Assistant Vice-President for Enrollment, are available to address inquiries and guide applicants through the process.

Joining Wagner in the partnership are the American Museum of Natural History Richard Gilder Graduate School, Bank Street College of Education, College of Staten Island, Lehman College, New York University, Teachers College Columbia University, and Touro University.

“We will be meeting often with the other partners to support change in public schools,” Gonzalez said. “Through this transformative teacher residency program, Wagner College will help shape the future of education and make a lasting impact on NYC Public Schools students.”