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A record 58 students are graduating this spring as part of the University of North Georgia's (ºìÁ«ÉçÇø) Teacher Candidate Residency Program (TCRP), now in its third full year.

These educators are working in 37 schools in the Banks, Barrow, Forsyth, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Stephens, and White county school systems, as well as Gainesville City Schools.

In TCRP, seniors are full-time teachers of record with their own classrooms, receiving at least half the salary of a full-time educator. They are not eligible for full salary because they do not have a baccalaureate degree. They receive benefits, including admission to teacher retirement. Students apply for the program in the fall semester of their junior year and are selected in the spring of their junior year.

"These residents have done an amazing job in completing tough senior year coursework while having the responsibility as the teacher of record in their schools," Angie Parker, TCRP coordinator for elementary and special education, said. 

This innovative College of Education program is helping bridge the teacher shortage in ºìÁ«ÉçÇø's service area while preparing educators at whatever stage of life they choose to become a teacher.

Madison Dyer, who is from Cornelia, Georgia, is earning a degree in elementary and special education. She is a third-grade teacher at Gainesville Exploration Academy as she finishes up her degree while having young kids. Dyer will remain at her current school for a second year in the fall.

"The leaders of this program are dedicated to making sure that you are prepared to be an educator. They give insight on their own experiences and how to succeed as times change. It is difficult at times, but it is possible with determination. Schools need effective teachers that care about and value students," Dyer said. "Without the TCRP program, being a teacher would not be an option for me at the moment. The traditional education route was not doable for me and my family. Thankfully, ºìÁ«ÉçÇø has other paths like the TCRP program to help people like me."

He said classroom management courses have proven to be pivotal during his transition to being a teacher of record through TCRP.

"I've taken bits and pieces of everything I've learned and applied it to my classroom," Loza said.

A curriculum course with Dr. Romola Bernard, associate professor of Middle Grades, Secondary & Science Education, has also been beneficial.

"The course was hard, but that difficulty made me faster at creating my lessons and also helped me make them the right way," Loza said.

Loza is grateful for his teacher residency experience and how it has prepared him to move forward in his career.

"It is very challenging, but it's very rewarding. The experience you gain is invaluable," Loza said. "I have learned more from this program than if I would have if I had gone the traditional route."

Mark Faul, a Cumming, Georgia, resident, is also earning a degree in history with teacher certification. Through TCRP, he is a history teacher at Chestatee High School for the 2024-25 academic year and will be returning to the school for a second year in the fall. He excelled in his TCRP year at Chestatee after taking over his classroom a couple of weeks into the school year when an opening arose.

For Faul, who is 30, has a 5-year-old daughter and is getting married this fall, the income and stability provided by TCRP were significant. Stepping into his own classroom for the first time came with challenges, but his coursework at ºìÁ«ÉçÇø laid a strong foundation.

"I felt prepared every step of the way," Faul said. "I was able to gain the maturity needed to handle issues that come up in a classroom."

Faul previously spent six years studying engineering at another university before stepping away from higher education. He managed a couple of restaurants before deciding that path wasn't sustainable. Faul began his time at ºìÁ«ÉçÇø studying business before a faculty member encouraged him to take a different path. Once he found teaching, it clicked. After a teaching internship at Cherokee Bluff Middle School, his TCRP year at Chestatee High School was a natural next step. He hopes others will see how TCRP can benefit them.

"I encourage every student teacher to consider this program. It is a tremendous amount of work, with a whole year of classes in conjunction with your teaching," Faul said. "You have to be prepared to juggle that. But the rewards are far greater than any work you end up completing."