About the Philadelphia Teacher Residency Program (PTR)
The Philadelphia Teacher Residency (PTR) is a program of the Philadelphia Education Fund (Ed Fund), in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers and the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE). PTR is a teacher preparation program that will prepare Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) professionals and recent graduates with strong STEM backgrounds to teach math and science, grades 6 – 12, in the School District of Philadelphia. The program is a replication of Teacher Residency programs in Boston, Denver and Chicago, which boast 3-year teacher retention rates of over 86%.

PTR has developed a model of teacher preparation that uses the medical residency model to re-imagine fieldwork. Residents (student teachers) learn at the elbow of mentor teachers for an entire school year in a single classroom, while simultaneously pursuing teaching certification and rigorous Master’s degree coursework at Penn GSE for 12 months. The intensive clinical experience in school classrooms with mentor teachers, combined with comprehensive university coursework, is a hallmark feature of PTR.

PTR began with its first cohort of 9 Residents in the summer of 2009. They are currently completing their preparation to become high school mathematics teachers. In 2010 we will begin with a cohort of 20 Residents who will prepare to become high school science and mathematics teachers. The Residents make a commitment to stay in the District for at least 3 years after their residency year.

About the Position

PTR Mentor’s Primary Roles and Responsibilities

Mentors are expected to co-teach with their assigned Resident (the PTR program participant) for the entire school year as part of the Residents’ Masters Degree program and certification requirements at the University Of Pennsylvania Graduate School Of Education. Therefore, on a weekly basis, Mentors must co-plan with their Resident; assess the Resident’s progress; and discuss the assessment with the Resident. Bi-monthly, Mentors discuss the classroom experience with PTR staff and a university representative. Additionally, Mentors are required to engage in monthly professional development activities to support and enhance their performance as Mentor. Other administrative reporting duties are expected as well.

Responsibilities
The major duties of the Mentor are as follows:

• Model excellent teaching, planning, and assessment practices. Provide multiple opportunities for continual reflection on teaching practice.
• Invite questions and coach the Resident on when and how her/his questions can best be addressed.
• Maintain an open classroom policy for PTR staff
• Follow (or modifying slightly, as necessary) the PTR timeline, structures to release full responsibility of three classes to the Resident. One during the fall and two during the spring semester.
• To support collaboration, establish two formal, consistent meeting times with the Resident each week.
• Use PTR co-teaching protocols for planning lessons, reporting out to PTR staff, and structuring a professional relationship around teaching and learning.
• Attend at least two PTR community-building functions throughout the course of the year.
• Attend monthly Resident-Mentor cohort meetings.
• Participate in program evaluation and selection of PTR candidates in order to ensure the ongoing quality of the PTR program.

Stipend for service
The Philadelphia Education Fund offers a stipend of $3,000 for the year-long co-teaching commitment as a PTR Mentor; up to $1000 for the education and preparation sessions depending on the number of hours of participation.

• PA mathematics or science certification I, certification II preferred
• At least 1 year of teaching experience at a PTR host school, 3+ years preferred
• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to work quickly under deadline and to handle many tasks at one time
• Agility with Microsoft Office applications and email communication
• Willingness to learn and follow guidelines of PTR program