This innovative project supports paid internships allowing aspiring educators across Maine to make a difference in their students’ lives. The project is funded by a $1 million grant for three years awarded to the University of Southern Maine (USM) by the US Department of Education. The project works with educators in over 30 districts across the state.
Benefits for USM students
New teachers learn immensely from this project thanks to amazing mentors who guide them through the ins and outs of the profession. Mentoring is key for student teachers because it lets them develop their skills and confidence in the classroom. This in turn leads to greater retention and long-term success.
Zachary (Zaq) Guoid, originally from Houlton, Maine, is just one of the students who has benefited greatly from the project. He spent this past year as a building substitute at Falmouth High School and as a student teacher with a mentor teacher in social studies. He is enrolled in the Teaching and Learning — Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP) 2-year master’s degree program and was a part of the Maine Teacher Residency Project.
Guoid emphasized that his mentor was crucial in the student teaching process. His mentor taught him important lessons like allowing students to revise their work and not basing their success on time or grade restrictions. This philosophy will influence his approach to education long after graduation and in his own classroom.
Another advantage of the project is that students can receive financial assistance. Guoid received a grant of $1,750 per semester. This helped cover half of his classes and eased his financial burden significantly.
“The best thing about the residency is having a mentor teacher who’s invested in me and my success. Any time I needed something, like the tiniest question, I had someone who I felt comfortable with at all times going to and asking that question.”
— Zachary Guiod, Extended Teacher Education Program (ETEP) MSEd student
Strong partnerships
In addition to benefiting students, the project is rewarding for mentors in local schools.
The project goes beyond traditional student teaching internships by offering a full year of hands-on experience with mentor teachers in local schools. This extended time frame allows student teachers to witness the growth and development of their students throughout the entire school year, something that a typical 15-week internship may not provide.
Mentor teachers, like Abby Randall from the Scarborough School District and Amanda Rood from the Biddeford School District, have seen the value of participating in the project firsthand. They had the opportunity to connect with fellow educators, expand their toolkit of resources, and gain new insights by working with student teachers. Plus, mentor teachers are compensated for their time and effort.
Having two adults in the classroom provides better support for students, Rood said. This creates a positive experience for everyone involved in the teaching and learning process.
Student teachers offer fresh ideas and perspectives, benefiting their students and their mentor teacher. Having student teachers is a lot of work for mentors, Rood mentioned, but the payoff is worthwhile for everyone involved.
How to get involved
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn and grow as an educator while making a meaningful impact in local schools. Students enrolled in our undergraduate major, teacher education tracks, or graduate degree program with at least 90 credits are eligible to apply for the Maine Teacher Residency Project. Browse our Academic programs to find your Undergraduate Major or Master’s Program.
For more information on how to get involved, please contact Flynn Ross or visit the Maine Teacher Residency Project website.