Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of students at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS)? If you're eager to inspire and empower the next generation but haven't obtained a teaching license yet, we have an exciting opportunity for you.

Introducing CMS Teaching Residency – an accelerated and cost-effective pathway to start your career as a dedicated CMS teacher. By joining our program, you'll not only bring your unique talents, resilience, and commitment to our vibrant community but also gain the necessary expertise to help students unleash their full potential.

Take the first step towards a rewarding teaching career with CMS Teaching Residency. Make a lasting impact while honing your skills and shaping the future of education. Together, let's create a brighter tomorrow for our students.

Ready to embark on this fulfilling journey?

Apply now and be part of something extraordinary!

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Introducing CMS Teaching Residency: Your Path to a Rewarding Teaching Career!

The CMS Teaching Residency offers an alternative route to obtaining a teaching license. Our program focuses on recruiting teachers for specific areas, including:

• Birth through Kindergarten
• Elementary K-6
• Exceptional Children (General and Adaptive Curriculum)
• Multilingual Learner
• Secondary English/Language Arts (Middle & High School)
• Secondary Math (Middle & High School)
• Secondary Science (Middle & High School)
• Secondary History/Social Studies (Middle & High School)

BENEFITS OF CMS TEACHING RESIDENCY

As a resident teacher, you will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced educators in CMS schools while earning your teaching license through an accelerated program. This unique experience not only allows you to develop and showcase your skills as a teacher but also gives you the chance to network with professionals in the field.

At CMS Teaching Residency, we believe that great teachers are the key to unlocking students' full potential. That's why our program focuses on providing residents with hands-on training and support from experienced mentors who are dedicated to helping them grow into effective educators.

Through our residency program, you'll have the opportunity to learn and apply evidence-based teaching strategies, create engaging lesson plans, and gain valuable classroom management.

To discover more about alternative licensure pathways, simply click here to sign up for the upcoming webinar.

So why wait? The application for the Teacher Alternative Licensure Pathway in all subjects is now open! Click the "How to Apply" tab above!

CMS Teaching Residency residents come from all corners of the city and beyond - from current CMS paraprofessionals and substitute teachers who already work in our classrooms; 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. These three core values unite them:

• BELIEF in our students: Residents believe all students can learn and achieve at high levels, regardless of the challenges they face outside the classroom.
• DETERMINATION to achieve 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.
• 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 learn more about one of our former residents' experiences here.

To be eligible for CMS Teaching Residency,

• Hold a bachelor's degree
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 from your undergrad coursework, graduate coursework, or a combination of both.   Applicants with a GPA below 2.7 can satisfy this requirement through GPA forgiveness.  A GPA forgiveness program involves taking two classes through college/university or online college courses that have been approved by CMS Teaching Residency, and earning a 2.7 or greater in each class.  Both classes need to be completed with a 2.7 GPA or greater before attending the pre-service training and teaching under a resident license. 
• Meet all legal requirements to work in the United States.
• Have at least 24 hours of relevant coursework determined by the licensure department or take and pass all state-required exams for your licensure area. You can use our testing guide for the areas offered through CMS Teaching Residency.  This guide includes titles of the tests you need, passing scores and the links to get you registered. 
• Do NOT currently hold a continuing educator's license or certificate in any state.

Our training consists of 3 phases; enrollment, pre-service training and clinical residency, all focusing on the most important skills you'll need to be a successful teacher, now and for years to come. Our team supports residents in learning how to build a strong classroom culture and engage students in challenging lessons. You'll also receive personalized instructional support as well as support for testing/edTPA and coursework throughout your first year in the classroom. We'll provide everything you need—no extra degree programs are required.

Phase 1: Enrollment

• The application for the Alternative Licensure Pathway opens in September and closes May 1st.
• Don't wait to apply!  You may need to complete testing or GPA Forgiveness, so the sooner you apply the better!  
• After you apply, you will be emailed information regarding your eligibility and next steps within 1–2 weeks. 
• When you enroll with CMS Teaching Residency you will be sent a welcome & next steps email within a week.   
• During the enrollment period, [Sep-May], our team will support you through the following 
  • Test prep support 
  • GPA Forgiveness guidance 
  • Virtual welcome calls 
  • Modules: Intro to CMS, Knowing your Content, Building a Strong, Equitable and Joyous classroom and What to Expect during Pre-Service Training 
  • Interview prep and practice, including mock interviews 

Phase 2: Pre-service Training 

• 5-6 week intensive training led by amazing CMS teachers! 
  • Spring option [Feb-March] for CMS employees ONLY and for selected content areas.  Instruction takes place on Saturdays.  Then you take what you learn and implement the strategies into your own classroom where you are already teaching or one assigned to you by your principal.  
  • Summer option for everyone [June-July] in all content areas.  Both in person and virtual.  This is an unpaid training session, so plan accordingly!  4 days a week. 8-4.  
• Learn Teach Like Champion techniques 
• Engage in meaningful dialogue and more around Equity and what that means for you as a teacher. 

Both options will provide you the opportunity to practice these skills under the guidance of experienced CMS teacher leaders. 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 pre-service training to maintain enrollment and continue into your "clinical residency" as a full-time teacher. 

Phase 3: Clinical Residency 

• Officially begins once you start teaching in the fall in your own classroom.
• Minimum of 1 school year, but you can have up to 2 more years under a resident license if you haven't completed all the testing requirements. 
• Receive progress reports 
• Clinical educators assigned to you at your school by your principal for school support 
• CMS TR coordinators and specialists are here to support you. 
• Graders will provide feedback on your coursework 

• CMS Teaching Residency Program Requirements 

  1. Cohort Meeting Attendance and Participation 

  2. Online Coursework

  3. Ed Teacher Performance Assessment Support Sessions Participation and On-Time Submission

  4. Administrative Requirements 

  5. Tuition

• In order to convert your Residency License to your full professional teaching license, you must pass all program, district, and state requirements. This includes taking and passing all state-required certification tests within the provided state timelines. For more information, please see our Frequently Asked Questions or contact us at cmsteachingresidency@cms.k12.nc.us. 

The application for the CMS Teaching Residency, Cohort 2025, will close on May 31, 2025.

We are excited that you want to take the next step in making a difference for the students at Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. CMS's recruitment team is ready to support you in becoming a full-time CMS teacher. You'll bring your talent, grit, and dedication to our community, and we'll help you master the skills you need to help students unlock their full potential. If you're passionate about being a part of the movement to increase student outcomes, join us!

1. BEFORE applying, take a few minutes to create a TeachNC account so that you can receive $100 back after paying the enrollment fee.  After you create this account with TeachNC, then apply to CMS Teaching Residency.  Once you enroll with us and log into the enrollment course, you can pay your enrollment fee.  After you pay your enrollment fee, submit that receipt to TeachNC, so they can send $100 right back to you.  Follow the steps below to ensure you get your $100 enrollment fee reimbursement:

1. Create a FREE TeachNC account. DO THIS FIRST to be eligible!
2. Submit your application for CMS Teaching Residency. Once licensure sends your enrollment link, complete the form and wait for an email from CMS Teaching Residency saying "CMS Teaching Residency Welcome & Next Steps" 
3. Log into our CMS Enrollment course [this information comes to you after you enroll] 
4. Pay your enrollment fee to secure your spot in our program and keep a screenshot of your receipt!  The link to pay is on the Enrollment course. 
5. Click on the following TeachNC link to submit receipt for the enrollment fee reimbursement of $100. 

2. CMS APPLICATION

Click here to apply to the Alternative Licensure Pathway for CMS Teaching Residency if you are interested in any of these areas;  

• Birth through Kindergarten
• Elementary K-6
• Exceptional Children (General and Adaptive Curriculum)
• Multilingual Learner
• Secondary English/Language Arts (Middle & High School)
• Secondary Math (Middle & High School)
• Secondary Science (Middle & High School)
• Secondary History/Social Studies (Middle & High School)

APPLY early, so you can begin the enrollment process for CMS Teaching Residency.  You may need to take and pass the state content test(s) or complete a class.  

CMS Teaching Residency Online Application Instructions

Application Process

Please note these instructions before applying:

Eligibility

You must meet these requirements to apply for CMS Teaching Residency:

• Hold a bachelor's degree
• Have at least a 2.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale or enroll in a GPA Forgiveness Program. 
• Be eligible to work in the US
• Must not hold a North Carolina teaching license or certification from any state
• Have 24 hours of relevant coursework or take and pass all required state exams

Application Process

Make sure the "Applicant Type" has "Instructional" at the top of the application

• To change if needed, click "Change Type" and check "Instructional."
• Click on each page of the application to ensure all information and requirements are completed and up to date!
• If you already have a CMS application started or completed, log in and select "My Application" and review to ensure the below requirements are completed.
• Upload official degree-dated transcripts from EVERY college attended, including all transfer credits, community college, baccalaureate, and post-baccalaureate coursework, to the "Attachments" section of the application.
• Once you complete the application, apply to the Alternative Teacher Pathway All Areas 
• Licensure will provide information regarding your eligibility and a link to enroll with CMS Teaching Residency.
• CMSTR will email you the next steps to get ready for pre-service training.
• Be sure to check emails and read newsletters when we send them!

If you have questions, please email cmsteachingresidency@cms.k12.nc.us