PSJA ISD Pairs Resident Teachers with Mentor Educators Ahead of Classroom Residency

PHARR, Texas — Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District marked a key step in the launch of its teacher residency program by pairing resident teachers with the mentor educators who will support them during their classroom residency beginning this September.

Resident teachers and mentor educators met during an orientation session held Wednesday, June 10, 2026, where participants learned more about the residency structure and the support they will receive throughout the school year.

“This program has been in the making for some time, and we are excited to take this next step with the support of our partners, ACT-RGV and Region One Education Service Center,” said Adrian Karr, PSJA ISD Human Resources Manager. “As a former teacher, I was once in the same place as these incoming residents, preparing for the day I would have a classroom of my own. Through this residency, they will have the opportunity to learn from great mentor educators and build the skills needed to serve students.”

PSJA ISD began developing the teacher residency program last school year through the Texas Strategic Staffing grant, which provides support for one year of planning and one year of program launch. Similar to a medical residency, teacher residencies give aspiring educators the opportunity to learn through hands-on experience before leading classrooms of their own.

Through the yearlong, paid program, aspiring educators and current district employees work alongside a mentor host teacher for a full academic year while completing coursework and earning their teaching certification. The program is designed to strengthen teacher preparation, build instructional skills and help districts create a sustainable pipeline of future educators.

“Our role is to help ensure resident teachers are gaining classroom experience and connecting it to the standards and responsibilities required of a certified teacher,” said Priscilla Salinas, ACT-RGV Director. “By the time they lead classrooms of their own, we want them to feel prepared for the realities of teaching from day one.”

The initiative is supported through a partnership between PSJA ISD, ACT-RGV and Region One Education Service Center. PSJA ISD leads the district-based residency model, ACT-RGV serves as the teacher certification program and Region One ESC provides technical assistance to help coordinate the partnership.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to support PSJA ISD and ACT-RGV in creating a residency experience that prepares future teachers while helping strengthen the educator pipeline for students and schools,” said Region One ESC Leadership Development Coordinator Aminta Silva.

Resident teachers are expected to enter classrooms this September, where they will work alongside their mentor educators throughout the school year.

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