Residency Opportunities

ETSU Office of Educator Preparation

Office of Educator Preparation

Residency Year Opportunities

  • Substitute Teaching

    District Substitute training is a requirement for all residency candidates. Candidates will complete substitute training and the Candidate to Substitute Contract during Pre-Residency. Candidates may count substitute training toward their residency hours; however, candidates may NOT count time substituting toward their required Pre-residency or Residency I hours.

    *When substituting, the candidate is acting as a substitute for the school system rather than as a teacher candidate for ETSU. Candidates will abide by all policies, rules, and regulations of the school system while performing the duties of a substitute teacher.

  • KAT (Kingsport Academy for Teachers)

    The KAT Academy (Kingsport Academy for Teachers), offers an internship position in the Kingsport City School System (KCS) at the following schools for Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and Special Education candidates:

    • Andrew Johnson Elementary

    KAT Academy Internship opportunity provides students with experiences that strengthen their residency placement throughout the academic year. The program is designed to provide students with more time in the classroom, extensive co-teaching strategies and experience with classroom management.

    The KAT Internship begins with students attending district and school based in-service opportunities and continues into Pre-Residency and Residency I with candidates completing additional hours with their mentor teacher. KAT Academy’s expanded internship hours and responsibilities include teaching reading, as well as, the opportunity to work as a substitute or an assistant teacher in different classrooms.

    Along with additional hours in the classroom, teacher candidates selected for KAT Academy will participate in professional development offered by KCS throughout the year. As a participant in the KAT Academy in Kingsport City Schools, candidates will also receive professional development focused on a specialized school mission.

    • Andrew Johnson Elementary- Leader in Me

    Participants will also receive a $2,000 stipend (upon the successful completion of Pre-Residency and Residency I) through Clemmer College of Education and Human Development for participation in the KAT internship program. Not only does the KAT internship provide you with an exceptional residency experience and a stipend,  you are also eligible to receive one full year of teaching experience for this internship if recognized by school district policy.

    • Qualifications
      • Must meet one of the following Entering Test Score Requirements:
        • ACT: 21 (superscore accepted)
        • SAT: 1080
        • Praxis Core: Reading 156, Writing 162, Math 150
      • Completed application and interview process
      • All other residency requirements (background check package and liability insurance)
    • Expectations

      Pre-Residency

      • Attend new Teacher Orientation district office (2-3 days in July)
      • Begin full-time at their assigned school the first days teachers report to work (July or August) and continue until the fall semester begins at ETSU.

      Residency I

      • Attend placement at assigned school
        • Begin when fall semester starts at ETSU
        • Specific schedule dependent on program of study
      • Attend coursework at ETSU
        • Specific class schedule dependent on program of study
      • End Residency I on last day of classes for ETSU
        • Candidates may elect to continue to follow school schedule until the end of the fall semester

      Residency II

      • Candidates report to their assigned school when teachers report to school during January of the Spring semester. Monday through Friday, entire teacher workday (hours vary by school)
      • Follow assigned school schedule and attend all before and after school duties, faculty meetings, and required after school programs.
    • Applying for KAT

      You will want to compose your responses to the following questions, so you can copy and paste them into the KAT application.

      • Why do you want to be a teacher? (Respond in 100 words or less)
      • How do you think this experience will make you a better teacher? (Respond 200 words or less)
    • Acceptance to KAT
      • Within two weeks after the interview process is complete, candidates will receive an acceptance notification. 
      • Candidates must sign an acceptance contract and complete required ETSU direct deposit paperwork before candidates can begin their assignment. 
    • Year at a Glance Compared to Typical Clinical Residency Year
      Typical Residency Year KAT Academy Year
      Pre-Residency (50 hours)

       

      		 Pre-Residency (approximately 120-150 Hours)
      • Candidates begin when schools begin and work with their mentor teacher until Fall Semester begins
      • Early connection to mentor teacher
      • Follow the co-teaching model

      *Candidates receive a total of 3 sick days between Pre-Residency and Residency I. 
      Residency I (135 hours) Residency I (approximately 375 hours)
      • Candidates are in a school setting on Mondays and Fridays working as a substitute, assisting in classrooms, or engaging in other project work as determined by the principal
      • Continued support from mentor
      • Residency I concludes the last day of classes for ETSU

      *Candidates receive a total of 3 sick days between Pre-Residency and Residency I. 
      Residency II (15 weeks of full time teaching)

      Residency II (15 weeks of full time teaching)

      • Candidates return to assigned school when teachers report in early January
      • Continue Residency II work identical to all Residency II Candidates
      • Work collaboratively with other teacher candidates in the academy to plan and execute a leadership event at the school
      • Continued support from mentor
      • Residency II concludes the last day of classes for ETSU
  • RITE (Rural Initiative for Talented Educators)

    The RITE (Rural Initiative for Talented Educators), offers an internship positions in Carter, Hawkins, Johnson and Unicoi County School Systems at the following schools:

    • Carter County Schools- Central Elementary School
    • Hawkins County Schools- Carter's Valley Elementary  
    • Johnson County Schools - Roan Creek Elementary
    • Unicoi County Schools- Unicoi County Elementary

    The RITE Program Internship opportunity provides students with experiences that strengthen their residency placement throughout the academic year. The program is designed to provide students with more time in the classroom, extensive co-teaching strategies, and experience with classroom management in a rural setting.

    The RITE Internship begins with students attending district and school based in-service opportunities and continues into Pre-Residency and Residency I with candidates completing additional hours with their mentor teacher. The RITE Program expanded internship hours and responsibilities include teaching reading, as well as, the opportunity to work as a substitute or an assistant teacher in different classrooms.

    Along with additional hours in the classroom, teacher candidates selected for the RITE Program will participate in professional development offered by the school district throughout the year. 

    Participants will also receive a $4,000 stipend (upon the successful completion of Pre-residency and Residency I) through Clemmer College of Education and Human Development for participation in the RITE internship program. Not only does the RITE internship provide you with an exceptional residency experience and a stipend,  you are also eligible to receive one full year of teaching experience for this internship if recognized by school district policy. 

    • Qualifications
      • Must meet one of the following Entering Test Score Requirements:
        • ACT: 21 (superscore accepted)
        • SAT: 1080
        • Praxis Core: Reading 156, Writing 162, Math 150 
      • Completed application and interview process
      • All other residency requirements (background check package and liability insurance)
    • Expectations

      Pre-Residency

      • Attend new Teacher Orientation district office (2-3 days in July.)
      • Begin full-time at their assigned school the first days teachers report to work (July or August) and continue until the fall semester begins at ETSU.

      Residency I

      • Attend placement at assigned school
        • Begin when fall semester starts at ETSU
        • Specific schedule dependent on program of study
      • Attend coursework at ETSU
        • Specific class schedule dependent on program of study
      • End Residency I on last day of classes for ETSU 
        • Candidates may elect to continue to follow school schedule until the end of the fall semester

      Residency II

      • Candidates report to their assigned school when teachers report to school during January of the Spring semester.
      • Monday through Friday, entire teacher workday (hours vary by school)
      • Follow assigned school schedule and attend all before and after school duties, faculty meetings, and required after school programs.
    • Applying for RITE

      You will want to compose your responses to the following questions, so you can copy and paste them into the RITE application.

      • Why do you want to be a teacher? (Respond in 100 words or less)
      • What goals would you have for yourself if chosen to participate in the RITE program? (Respond in 100 words or less)
    • Acceptance to RITE
      • Within two weeks after the interview process is complete, candidates will receive an acceptance notification. 
      • Candidates must sign an acceptance contract and complete required ETSU direct deposit paperwork before candidates can begin their assignment. 
    • Year at a Glance Compared to Typical Clinical Residency Year
      Typical Residency Year RITE Academy Year
      Pre-Residency (50 hours) Pre-Residency (approximately 120-150 Hours)
      • Candidates begin when schools begin and work with their mentor teacher until Fall Semester begins
      • Early connection to mentor teacher
      • Follow the co-teaching model

      *Candidates receive a total of 3 sick days between Pre-Residency and Residency I. 
      Residency I (135 hours) Residency I (approximately 375 hours)
      • Candidates are in a school setting on Mondays and Fridays working as a substitute, assisting in classrooms, or engaging in other project work as determined by the principal
      • Continued support from mentor
      • Residency I concludes the last day of classes for ETSU

      *Candidates receive a total of 3 sick days between Pre-Residency and Residency I. 
      Residency II (15 weeks of full time teaching) Residency II (15 weeks of full time teaching)
      • Candidates return to assigned school when teachers report in early January
      • Continue Residency II work identical to all Residency II Candidates
      • Work collaboratively with other teacher candidates in the academy to plan and execute a leadership event at the school
      • Continued support from mentor
      • Residency II concludes the last day of classes for ETSU

KAT and RITE Applications

The applications for the KAT and RITE programs are now OPEN for the 2026-2027 Academic Year.