Join the Team at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Are you ready to make a difference for Charlotte’s students, but don’t yet have a teaching license? The CMS Teaching Residency is an accelerated, affordable path to becoming a full-time CMS teacher. You’ll bring your talent, grit, and dedication to our community. We’ll help you master the skills you need to help students unlock their full potential.
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CMS Teaching Residency is one option for alternative route licensure. Our program is specifically recruiting secondary math (middle and high school), and secondary science (middle and high school) teachers. Currently, we are at capacity for middle school English Language Arts and general elementary teachers. If you would like to join the wait list in the event that we have more openings for these areas, please fill out this form!
Are you interested in applying to the Residency next year, or sometime in the future? You can join our future cohort mailing list to stay up to date on Residency news, and future application timelines!
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The application period for cohort 2019 is now closed. Please join our mailing list and check back in October for the next cohort application!
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Who We Want
CMS Teaching residents come from all corners of the city and beyond—from paraprofessionals and substitute teachers who already work in our classrooms; to recent college graduates looking to build a career in Charlotte; to experienced professionals from other fields who want to help shape the next generation of leaders and innovators. They’re united by three core values:
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BELIEF in our students: Residents believe all students can learn and achieve at high levels, regardless of the challenges they might face outside the classroom.
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DETERMINATION to reach goals: Faced with challenges, residents model the grit and persistence their students will need to overcome obstacles and stay on the path to success in college or a career.
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PROVEN ABILITY to inspire change: Residents can rally students and families around ambitious learning goals.
We train residents to work in the grades and subject areas where they’re needed most, and we provide them with the skills and knowledge to help them succeed. You can find out more about two of our current residents’ experience in this Charlotte Observer story.
To be eligible for the Residency, you must hold a bachelor’s degree, meet all legal requirements to work in the United States, have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.7, and plan to take all state-required certification tests. This is a licensure program for new teachers only with no prior experience in educator preparation programs – you cannot have a current teaching license (in any state), have completed a program that could have led to licensure, or have an expired license. You can learn more about our eligibility requirements in our Frequently Asked Questions.
Our Training
Our training focuses on the most important skills you’ll need to be a successful teacher right now and for years to come, like building a strong classroom culture and engaging students in challenging lessons. During an intensive six-week summer training program, you’ll practice these skills in real classrooms under the guidance of experienced educators. You’ll also receive personalized coaching throughout your first year in the classroom. We’ll provide everything you need—no extra degree programs required.
Because we believe all CMS students deserve effective teachers, you’ll need to show that you’re on the way to mastering core instructional skills during summer training to be eligible for a full-time teaching position. Similarly, you’ll need to show that you’ve continued to develop these skills to be eligible for a permanent teaching license after your first year in the classroom.
1. Online application: Our online application asks you to provide some basic information, and answer several essay questions about the values and approach you’d bring to a CMS classroom.
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2. Virtual interview: Based on your application, you may be invited to a virtual interview, which will help you learn more about the program and help us decide whether it’s a good fit for you.
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If you’re accepted into the program after your interview, you’ll have opportunities to meet and connect with your fellow residents. You’ll need to take all state-required certification tests before summer training begins. You’ll also need to successfully complete summer training to become eligible for a full-time teaching position. For more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us at cmsteachingresidency@cms.k12.nc.us.