Residency

Implementation

Section 7:

Bridging Support & Strategy

Bridging Support & Strategy��Section 7 Outcomes

Participating programs will 

• Support residents’ successful launch into independent practice by strengthening alumni transitions
• Consider what data we should collect about our alumni’s post-residency progress and experiences

​

Key Characteristics Addressed

Supporting Our Residents in Our Program & Beyond

A strong post-residency plan helps graduates transition into their first year out of our residency program with confidence and community.

When programs are able to build a strong bridge between the residency year and the first few years of independent teaching or counseling, it supports long-term impacts, like educator retention, growth, and fulfillment.

In this way, transition planning is a key equity lever.

Learning from our Alumni

Collecting data about our program completers’ post-residency experience will not only help us maintain a sense of community with them, but also provide us with even more information about the strengths and areas of growth of our program.

To maintain sense of belonging in the program and support educators’ post-residency success, we can answer the following questions:

1. How do we prepare residents for what’s next?
2. How do we align our residency experience with Induction and other learning opportunities?

California Credential Requirements

In California:

• Resident teachers are required to complete a Teacher Induction program within five years of finishing their residency.
• Learn more by visiting the CTC’s Teacher Induction page.
• Resident counselors are not required to complete a second step in the credentialing process, as there are currently no Induction programs for this role.
• However, there are still valuable opportunities for continued professional learning and support that we can offer after they complete their residency.

Utilizing Teacher Transition Plans

Educator Preparation Programs require that all completers create a transition plan document that they take with them to their Induction program. Whenever possible, utilize these transition plan documents to help bridge support and strategy for program completers.

​

The transition plan documents should detail the following:

• How will residents know their strengths and areas of improvement?
• What are their post-residency goals?
• Who will be their coach/support system next year?
• What learning opportunities align with their goals?

Post-Residency Data

As our resident alumni enter their first year of independent practice, their successes and challenges can offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of our program. By staying connected with them and continuing to collect both qualitative and quantitative data about their experiences, we can better understand the impact of our preparation and identify areas for growth.

​

As our residents complete our program, we should be sure to know the following:

• How will we stay in touch with our alumni?
• Where are our program completers working?
• What support gaps exist, and how can we address those gaps?
• What data do we need, and how will we use it?

​

Strengthening the Bridge through Continuous Improvement

By using alumni voices and data to better understand our program, our team will identify small changes to test that may improve the residency experience and better prepare residents for what comes next.

​

Using our Continuous Improvement process, we’ll test and refine these ideas over time to support stronger transitions and long-term success for both current and future cohorts.

Workbook Task 6: Bridging Support and Strategy

• In your Residency Implementation Module Program Workbook, complete Task 6: Bridging Support & Strategy

​

From there, we can launch new data collection, analysis, and PDSA cycles to further improve our program’s outcomes and experiences.

Next Section: Resource Center