Welcome to IGNITE DeKalb Teacher Residency Program!
Our Story, Our Purpose
The nation is facing a critical shortage of qualified educators. Education Week predicted that last school year, there were over 36,000 classrooms nationwide without a certified teacher, and more than 163,000 teachers were not prepared for the subjects they taught. The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) found a sharp decline in students earning an undergraduate degree in education, dropping from 200,000 annually in the early 1970s to less than 90,000 in 2018-19. Additionally, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to further declines in undergraduate enrollment, intensifying the challenges for teacher preparation programs.
In response to these growing challenges, the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) is disrupting the traditional approach to teacher preparation by launching bold initiatives to achieve new heights of excellence. Recognizing that we can no longer rely solely on colleges and universities to meet the demands of our schools, DCSD has taken education to new levels by developing its own dynamic teacher pipeline. By forming strategic partnerships with high-quality Educator Preparation Program Providers (EPPs), DCSD has created an innovative, no-cost, District-sponsored Teacher Residency Program. This program is designed to equip talented individuals with the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to become highly qualified teachers, ensuring that every classroom is led by a prepared, passionate educator who embodies the district’s commitment to excellence.
